17532 

PLYMOUTH 


AND     THE 


PILGRIMS; 


OB 


INCIDENTS  OF  ADVENTURE  IN  THE  HISTORY 
OF  THE  FIRST  SETTLERS. 


JOSEPH    BANVARD. 


BOSTON: 
GOULD    AND    LINCOLN, 

59    WASHINGTON    STREET. 

1851. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Coojress,  in  the  year  1351,  by 

GOULD  AND  LINCOLN, 
In  the'  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


STEREOTYPED    AT  THE 
BOSTON    STEREOTYPE    FOUNDRY. 


PREFACE. 


THE  history  of  our  country  is  full  of  interest. 
The  annals  of  our  own  Commonwealth,  and 
especially  of  our  Pilgrim  fathers,  abound  with 
vivid  illustrations  of  fearless  courage,  enduring 
fortitude,  ingenious  strategy,  and  romantic  ad- 
venture. 

The  object  of  the  present  volume  is  to  give 
a  plain  and  correct  account  of  the  prominent 
events  which  have  occurred  in  the  history  of 
Plymouth,  the  oldest  colony  in  New  England. 
We,  of  course,  have  not  given  all  the  incidents, 
neither  could  we  in  a  volume  of  reasonable 
size.  We  have  confined  ourselves  to  the  more 
interesting  and  important. 


4  PREFACE. 

Such  facts  only  are  related  as  we  presumed 
would  afford  entertainment  and  instruction  to 
the  mass  of  the  people,  and  especially  to  the 
youth.  A  glance  at  the  table  of  contents  will 
show  the  nature  and  variety  of  our  subjects. 
We  have  indulged  in  only  a  few  moral  reflec- 
tions, but  have  furnished  materials  eminently 
suggestive  of  them.  We  present  facts ;  our 
readers  can  deduce  their  own  inferences. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  work  we  have 
availed  ourselves  of  the  most  reliable  sources 
of  information  from  the  journals  and  letters  of 
the  first  Pilgrims  down  to  historians  of  a  recent; 
date. 

Each  of  the  engravings  is  illustrative  of  some 
incident  of  which  we  have  given  an  account. 


NOTICE. 

THE  Publishers,  in  presenting  to  the  reading  public  this 
first  volume  of  Rev.  Mr.  Banvard's  Series  of  American 
Histories,  are  happy  to  announce  that  other  volumes  of  the 
series  are  in  course  of  preparation. 

This  series  of  Histories  will  be  made  up  of  interesting 
and  important  events  which  have  occurred  in  the  United 
States  since  the  first  settlement  of  the  country ;  illustrating, 
the  trials  and  adventures  of  the  early  colonists  both  at 
the  North  and  the  South,  their  intercourse  and  conflicts 
with  the  natives,  then:  peculiarities  of  character  and 
manners,  the  gradual  development  of  their  institutions, 
sketches  of  their  prominent  men  in  both  the  Church  and 
the  State,  incidents  in  the  Revolution,  with  various  other 
subjects  of  interest  of  more  recent  date.  It  is  intended  to 
be  adapted  to  the  popular  mind,  and  especially  to  the 
youth  of  our  country,  illustrated  with  numerous  fine  en- 
gravings. There  will  be  twelve  or  more  18mo.  volumes, 
consisting  of  about  three  hundred  pages  each ;  each  vol- 
ume to  be  complete  in  itself;  and  yet,  when  all  are  pub- 
lished, they  will,  together,  form  a  regular  SERIES  OF 
CONSECUTIVE  AMERICAN  HISTORY. 
1* 


LIST 

OF 

ILLUSTRATIONS 


I.   ROBINSON'S  PRAYER  AT  THE  DEPARTURE  OF 

THE  PILGRIMS  FROM  DELPH  HAVEN. 
II.    ILLUSTRATED  TITLE  PAGE. 

III.  MAP  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY 18 

IV.  THE  COPPER  CHAIN 60 

V.   FIVE   KERNELS  OF  CORN MO 

VI.    SIR  CHRISTOPHER  GARDNER  TAKEN 169 

VII.    CAPTURE  OF  AXNAWON  BY  STRATAGEM 252 

Vin.    LIKENESS  OF  MISS  REBECCA  RAWSON 198 

IX.    PRISONERS  IN  STOCKS 20C 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

PAGE 

A  Vessel.  — Something  unusual  on  Board.  —  Sympathy.  —  Pastor's 
Prayer.  —  Separation.  —  Arrival  at  Southampton.  — Robinson's  Let- 
ter. —  Division  of  the  Company.  —  Choice  of  Officers.  —  Departure 
from  England.  —  Put  back  to  Dartmouth.  —  Start  again.  —  Return 
to  Plymouth.  —  One  Vessel  abandoned.  —  The  other  starts  alone.  — 
Storms.  —  Death  at  Sea.  —  Disheartening  Event.  — "  Land."  —  Cape 
Uod  Harbor.  —  Puritan  Pilgrims.  —  Thanks.  —  The  Compact.  — 
Election  of  Governor.  — The  Men  ashore.  —  Their  Discoveries.  — 
The  Shallop.  —  An  Expedition  proposed 19 


CHAPTER  II. 

Exploring  Party.  —  See  Indians.  —  Their  Pursuit  and  Behavior.  — 
Night. —  Pursuit  renewed.  —  Great  Thirst.  —  The  first  Drink  of 
New  England  Water.  —  Deer.  —  Indian  Graves.  —  Corn  found 
buried.  —  Large  Kettle.  — A  Fort. — River  discovered. — Encampment 
in  a  stormy  Night.  —  The  Party  lost.  —  Trap  found  in  the  Woods.  — 
Reasons  for  minute  Description.  —  Strength  of  Principle. — Wa- 
ter Excursion.  —  A  Party  land Mummies  discovered.  —  Wig- 
wams and  Contents.  —  First  Birth —  Third  Excursion.  —  Midnight 
Alarm.  —  Skirmish  with  the  Indiana.  —  Thanks  for  Victory.  — 


)  CONTENTS. 

Storm  and  Danger.  —  Clark's  Island —  Sabbath  observed.  —  Land- 
ing of  the  Pilgrims.  —  Division  of  the  Land.  —  Commence  build- 
ing. —  Fire.  —  Two  Men  lost— Their  Adventures.  —  The  first 
Sabbath  on  the  main  Land.  —  The  first  Winter.  —  The  Number  of 
Immigrants.  —  Suffering.  —  Deaths.  —  Place  called  Plymouth.  — 
Return  of  the  Mayflower 29 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  strange  Visitor.  —  Unexpected  Salutation.  —  Information  given.  •— 
A  Difficulty.  —  Kidnapper.  — Indians  enslaved.  —  More  Visitors.  — 
Squanto'a  Adventures — Indian  Chiefs.  —  Visit  of  Ceremony. — 
First  Treaty.  —  The  Visit  returned.  —  Massasoit's  Poverty.  —  Novel 
Mode  of  Eeling.— First  Offence. —  The  Penalty.  —  Billington's 
Character.  —  First  Duel.  —  Peculiar  Punishment.  —  Praying  for 
Mercy —  Character  of  the  Government 45 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Plymouth  in  Summer.  —  Annoyance  of  Indian  Loungers —  Visit  to 
Massasoit.  —  Delivery  of  Presents.  —  The  Message.  —  The  Copper 
Chain.  —  Hard  Lodging.  —  Subordinate  Sachems.  —  Sports.  —  Shoot- 
ing Fish.  —  Return  of  the  Messengers.  —  Storm  at  Night.  —  Effect  of 
the  Visit.  —  Boy  missing.  —  A  Party  sent  after  him.  —  Their  Adven- 
tures—  Get  News  of  the  Boy.  —  lyanough.  —  An  old  Squaw — 

Her  violent  Passion. —  Reason  of  it.  —  How  she  is  pacified 

Indian  Officiougness.  —  The  Owner  of  the  buried  Corn  found.  — 
The  lost  Boy  restored.  —  Natives  rewarded.  —  Rumors  of  War.  — 
Danger  of  the  Colony 51 


CHAPTER    V. 

Startling  Rumors.  —  Sqnanto  reconnoitres.  —  Is  taken.  —  Designs 
against  him.  —  Supposed  Murder.  —  Party  sent  to  Middleborough — 
Midnight  Attack.  —  Frightened  Indians.  —  Squanto  found.  — 


CONTENTS.  U 

Treatment  of  the  Wounded — Voyage  to  Massachusetts.  —  Origin 
of  the  Name.  —  Conduct  of  the  Squaws. — The  first  Summer  in 
Plymouth.  —  Preparations  for  Winter.  —  Colony  alarmed.  —  Prepare 
to  resist  Invaders. —  Pleasant  Disappointment. — Arrival  of  the 
Fortune. —  She  brings  no  Stores.  —  The  Consequence — The  For- 
tune returns.  —  Her  Cargo  and  Capture 61 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Singular  Visitor.  —  Mysterious  Package  for  Squanto —  The  Visitor 
made  a  Captive.  —  His  Disclosures.  —  He  is  released  and  sent  home 
with  a  bold  Message —  Squanto  explains  the  Package.  —  A  Package 
of  Powder  and  Balls  sent  in  Reply  to  it.  —  It  is  regarded  with  Ter- 
ror.— Finally  sent  back  unopened —  Defensive  Preparations.  —  First 
General  Muster.  —  An  Indian's  Advice.  —  Another  Expedition.  — 
Signal  for  Return.  —  Why  called  back.  —  Hobbamock  denies  Indian 
Rumors.  —  Squanto  falls  under  Suspicion.  —  His  deceitful  Con- 
duct—  Buried  Plague.  —  Massasoit  demands  Squanto's  Death. — 
The  Messengers  ready  to  kill  him.  —  His  unexpected  Deliver- 
ance. —  Messengers  offended —  More  Immigrants —  Winslow  sent 
to  Maine  for  Food.  —  Massacre  in  Virginia.  —  Fort  built.  —  Used  as 
a  Church.  —  Puritan  Character 69 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Arrival  of  the  Charity  and  the  Swan.  —  A  New  Colony.  —  Its  Mate- 
rials.—  Its  Object.  —  Its  Difficulties — An  Expedition  in  Partner- 
ship. —  Chatham.  —  Shyness  of  the  Natives.  —  Success  in  Trade.  — 
Squanto  dies.  —  His  last  Request.  —  His  History.  —  Favorable  Prov- 
idence. —  Indiscretion  of  the  New  Colony.  —  Storm.  —  The  Shallop 
aground.—  Stores  left  in  the  Care  of  Indians.  —  The  Return.  —  Pu- 
ritan Firmness.  —  Indian  Theft.  —  Restoration  demanded.  —  Its 
Result.  —  Ludicrous  Ceremony.  —  Folly  of  Imitation.  —  Indian 
Gamblers. —  Mysterious  Visitors.  —  Their  Object — Indian  Brawl 
and  Murder.  —  Hobbamock's  Advice.  —  A  Powwow  executed 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Fears  of  Conspiracy.  —  Illness  of  Massasoit. —  Winslow,  with  two 
others,  sets  out  to  visit  him —  Arrives  at  a  Ferry.  —  Hears  that  Mas- 
sasoit is  dead.  —  Hobbaraock's  deep  Grief.  —  His  Description  of  the 
Chief.  —  They  visit  Corbitant's  House.  —  A  Messenger  sent  to  Pok- 
anoket. — Returns  with  the  News  that  Massasoit  is  yet  alive. — 
The  Party  press  on.  —  Their  Arrival.  —  Powwows  at  work  upon  the 
sick  Chief.  —  Winslow  prescribes  for  him.  —  He  improves.  —  Eats 
too  hearty,  and  becomes  worse.  —  Indian  Custom.  —  Efforts  to  per- 
suade Massasoit  to  oppose  the  English.  —  They  are  unsuccessful 

Massasoit  reveals  the  Conspiracy. —  His  Advice. — Conversation 
with  Corbitant.  —  How  the  Puritans  taught  the  Indians.  —  Origin  of 
Traditions....  92 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Condition  of  Weston's  Colony.  —  Man  drowned  in  digging  Clams.  — 
Indian  Policy.  —  The  Men  rob  them.  —  Indians  complain. —  A 
slanderous  Tradition.  —  Butler  perpetuates  it.  —  Its  Origin.  —  Plym- 
outh not  responsible  for  VVeymouth.  —  Consultation  of  the  two  Col- 
onies.—  Sanders  goes  to  Maine  for  Provisions.  —  Dangers  of  the 
English.  —  Their  Perils  considered  by  the  Court.  —  Standisb  sent  to 
Wcymouth  to  capture  Indians.  —  His  Instructions.  —  Insulting 
Conduct  of  the  Indians.  —  Pratt's  providential  Escape.  —  He  relates 

the  wretched  Condition  of  Weymouth.  —  Pratt  is  pursued His 

Pursuer  captured  as  a  Spy.  —  Standish  arrives  at  Weymoulh.  — 
Makes  known  the  Conspiracy. —The  Captain's  Policy. —  Indians 
pretend  they  know  his  Object.  —  Their  Insults.  —  The  boasting  of 
Indian  Braves —  The  forbearance  of  the  Captain 104 


CHAPTER  X. 

I 

Silent,  but  fearful  Massacre —  Hobbamock  compliments  Standish.  — 

Women  held  Captives — An   Indian  escapes.  —  Three    English- 
man among  the  Indians.  —  The  Indians  haste  away  at  Midnight.  — 


CONTENTS.  1.1 

They  meet  Standish  and  his  Men.  —  A  Skirmish — The  Indians 
defeated.  —  Hobbamock's  Uravery. —  The  Indian  Women  released 
uninjured.  —  The  Puritans  responsible  for  the  Massacre.  —  Their 
Apology.  —  A  young  Indian's  Confession.  —  Standish  returns, 
taking  an  Indian's  Head.  — The  captured  Spy  recognizes  it. —  The 
Spy  released  and  sent  as  a  Messenger.  —  A  Squaw  brings  back  an 
Answer.  —  The  three  Englishmen  killed.  —  The  Terror  of  the  Na- 
tives.—  They  attempt  to  send  a  Peace-offering  to  the  Governor. — 
The  Boat  is  wrecked.  —  Robinson's  Letter 118 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Conspiracy  checked.  —  Arrival  of  a  Blacksmith  in  disguise. — 
Who  he  is.  —  He  hears  unwelcome  News.  —  He  sails  for  Wey- 
moutii. — Is  cast  away  and  robbed.  —  Kindness  of  the  Puritans. — 
Repaid  with  Ingratitude.  —  The  Puritans  without  a  Charter.  —  The 

Advantage  of  it Their  first   Patent —  Too   Ambition  of  John 

Pierce.  —  Is  disappointed.  —  Arrival  of  more  Immigrants  and 
Stores.  —  The  Distress  of  the  Colony.  —  Admiral  West.  —  Cannot 
subdue  the  Fishermen.  —  Community  of  Goods  abandoned.  —  Self- 
Dependence.  —  Its  Results.  —  The  five  Kernels  of  Corn.  —  No 
Bread.  —  Patience  of  the  Sufferers.  —  Long  Drought.  —  Day  of 
Pasting  and  Prayer.  —  Refreshing  Showers.  —  Effect  upon  the  Na- 
tives... ..  129 


CHAPTER  XII. 

John  Lyford.  —  His  Obsequiousness.  —  His  Connection  with  John 
Oldhara.  —  Governor  Bradford  takes  Copies  of  their  Letters.  —  Old- 
ham  rebels.  —  Lyford  sets  up  a  Meeting.  —  Their  Trial.  —  The  Gov- 
ernor's Address —  Both  found  guilty.  —  Oldham  banished.  —  Ly- 
ford's  Confession  and  deep  Sorrow.  —  Repeats  his  Offence.  —  Old- 
ham  returns.  —  His  abusive  Conduct. —  Sentenced  to  run  the 

Gantlet.  —  He   reforms Is    killed    by   the    Indians Timely 

Abundance.  —  Trade  with  the  Kennebec.  —  Return  Ship  captured.— 


2  CONTENTS. 

Escape  of  Standisb  from  Slavery.  —  Death  of  John  Robinson. — 
His  Character.  —  Death  of  Robert  Cushman —  He  preached  the 
first  Sermon  in  New  England — Its  Character —  Extracts 141 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

A  Pinnace  built.  —  Messengers  from  the  Dutch. — Reception  of  De 
Razier.  —  Trade  with  him.  —  Wampum.  —  The  Colony  without  a 
Pastor —  Original  Agreement  respecting  their  old  Pastor.  —  A  Min- 
ister found  at  Nantasket — He  becomes  the  Plymouth  Pastor.  —  His 
Character.  —  Roger  Williams.  —  His  Troubles  at  Salem.  —  Goes  to 
Plymouth  as  an  Assistant.  —  Returns  to  Salem.  —  He  cultivates  Ac- 
quaintance with  the  Natives.  —John  Billington —  Commits  Mur- 
der. —  Is  tried  and  executed.  —  The  Tendency  of  Sin.  —  A  Ship- 
wreck—  Kindness  of  the  Indians.  —  Difficulties  adjusted.  —  Gov- 
ernor Winthrop's  Visit  to  Plymouth.  —  Singular  Puritan  Custom 

Discussion   about   the   Use  of  "  Goodman  Such-a-one."  —  Hue's 
Cross ..  154 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Sir  Christopher  Gardner. — Foments  Trouble.  —  Is  charged  with  Big- 
amy—  la  pursued.  —  Is  delivered  up  by  Indians.  —  Indian  Custom 
to  secure  a  Welcome,  — Small-pox.  —  Trade  extended. —  Adven- 
tures on  the  Connecticut.  —  Troubles  on  the  Kennebec.  —  Captain 
Hocking  killed.  —A  Plymouth  Magistrate  arrested  in  Boston.  —  Ex- 
citement at  Plymouth.  —  Deputies  sent  to  Boston.  —  Prayer  before 
Business.  —  The  Defence.  —  The  Confession.  —  The  Adjustment — 
A  Hurricane.  —  Its  dreadful  Ravages.  —  Eclipse  of  the  Moon 167 


CHAPTER  XV. 

An  Indian  murdered.  —  Four  Englishmen  in  Want.  —  They  visit 
Roger  Williams.  —  Are  found  to  be  the  Murderers.  — Three  are 
caught.  —Their  Trial.  —  Singular  Difficulty.  —  Their  Execution.  — 


CONTENTS.  13 

Effect  of  Puritan  Justice  on  the  Indians.  —Anecdote  of  Captain 
Standish. —  Alden  takes  his  new  Bride  homo  on  a  Bull.  —  Confed- 
eration of  the  New  England  Colonies. — Germ  of  the  American 
Union.  —  Its  Influence.  —  Indian  Alliances.  —  The  Removal  of  the 
whole  Colony  proposed.  —  Subject  considered  by  the  Church.  — 
Purchase  Eastbam.  —  Found  to  be  more  unfavorable  than  Plym- 
outh.—  The  Project  abandoned.  —  Ex-Governor  Prince  settles  at 
Eastham...  ..  176 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Quakers  ordered  out  of  the  Colony.  —  They  refuse  to  obey.  —  All  for- 
bidden to  harbor  Quakers.  —  Humphrey  Norton  imprisoned.  —  Qua- 
kers' Contempt  of  Government.  —  Insolence  to  the  Governor.  — 
Refuse  to  take  Oath.—  Are  whipped.  —Norton's  Letters.  —  Fanat- 
icism always  troublesome.  —  No  Quaker  or  Ranter  permitted  tube 
a  Freeman. —  A  House  of  Correction  ordered  to  be  built.  —  Six 
Quakers  banished  on  Pain  of  Death.  —  Milder  Laws. —  Four  Per- 
sons appointed  to  reason  with  them.  —  One  of  these  becomes  a 
Quaker.  —  All  Persons  authorized  to  arrest  them.  —  Their  Meetings 
forbidden.  —  Severity  excites  Sympathy.  —  Rigorous  Measures  were 
not  universally  approved.  —  Charles  II.  ascends  the  Throne  of  Eng- 
land. —  He  suppresses  the  Persecutions.  —  Secretary  Rawson.  — 
His  Daughter  Rebecca  receives  the  attentions  of  Thomas  Rum- 
sey.  —  Marries  him.  —  Accompanies  him  to  England.  —  Finds  a 
Relative.  —  Conduct  of  her  Husband.  —  Painful  Discovery.  —  Her 
Abandonment. —  Her  Self-reliance.  —  Embarks  for  Jamaica. — 
Arrival  there. — Her  unhappy  End 185 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  Enactment  of  Law  develops  Character.  —  Trial  by  J  ury.  —  Wants 
of  the  Colony  to  be  supplied  first.  —  Exports  forbidden.  —  Those 

who  refused  the  Office  of  Governor  to  be  fined Bradford  released 

by  Importunity.  —  How  different  now.  —  Marriage  forbidden  with- 
out the  Consent  of  Parents.  —  Intentions  of  Marriage  to  be  pub- 

2 


14 


CONTENTS. 


lished.  —  Consent  of  Parents  to  be  obtained  to  address  their  Daugh- 
ters—  Punishment  to  depend  upon  "  duality  "  of  the  Offender.  — 
Short  Sleeves  forbidden.  —  Laws  against  Contempt  of  the  Scrip- 
tures. —  Sabbath-breaking  and  Gambling  Laws  executed.  —  Stocks 
and  Cage  always  ready.  —  Psalm  Singing.  —  Courtship  punished.  — 
Abuse  of  Husbands.  —  Blackbirds'  Heads  to  be  obtained.  —  Ef- 
fects of  Union  of  Church  and  State.  —  Every  Colony  to  have  a 
Church.  —  Church  Rates.  —  Whales.  —  Ministers  forbidden  to  leave 
their  People.  —  Meeting-house  in  every  Town.  —  Parental  Instruc- 
tion. —  Schools.  —  Arms  must  be  taken  to  Meeting.  —  Indians  and 
Wolves.  —  Effects  of  these  Laws.  —  The  Bible  the  Basis  of  their 
Legislation 199 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Fifty  Years  of  Peace.  —  New  Settlements.  —  Converted  Indians.  — 
Native  Preachers.  —  Philip  and  the  Button.  —  Indian  Magistrates.  — 
Indian  Warrant.  —  Alexander  succeeds  Massasoit.  —  Suspicions 
against  him.  —  His  Death.  —  Philip  becomes  Grand  Sachem.  —  Pur- 
sues John  Gibbs  for  reviling  the  Dead. — His  Alliance  with  the 
Narragansetts.  —  He  desires  Revenge.  —  Ordered  to  come  to  Plym- 
outh.—  Declines.  —  Invites  the  Governor  to  come  to  him.  — They 
meet  at  Taunton.  —  Singular  Scene  in  a  Church.  —  The  Treaty.  — 
Indignant  Sachem.  —  Treaty  violated.  — Conference  at  Plymouth. — 
Indian  Confederacy. —  Philip's  deep  Plot  against  the  English. — 
Their  Security — Philip  angry  with  Sassamon.  —  The  latter  flees 
to  the  English.  —  The  Plot  revealed.  —  Sassamon  missing.  —  Philip 
again  examined.  —  No  Confession.  —  Suspicions  increase 818 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

Harvard  College.  —  Indian  Students.  —  Sassamon.  —  Search  for 
him.  —  Body  found.  —  Murderers  arrested  and  executed.  —  Philip 
enraged.  —  Preparations  for  Conflict  —  Bold  Language.  —  Opinion 
respecting  the  first  Fire.— Indians  pant  for  Plunder. —War  be- 
gun—  English  killed  on  Fast  Day.  —  Excitement  in  the  Colonies.  — 


CONTENTS.  15 

Enlisting  Recruits  in  Boston.  —Bridge water  Horsemen — People 
driven  from  their  burning  Houses.  —  The  English  surprised  and 
slain.  —  Affecting  Scene. —  Philip  pursued.  —  Found  at  Dinner. — 
Escapes.  —  Mutilated  Englishmen.  —  Fuller's  narrow  Escape.  — 
Church's  brave  Adventure. —  Golding's  timely  Arrival.  —  Marvel- 
lous Preservation.  —  Church's  Visit  to  the  Spring  amidst  a  Shower 
of  Balls...  ..  224 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Philip  retreats  to  a  Swamp.  —  An  Ambush.  —  Wigwams  found.  — 
Philip  escapes  by  Water — Route  discovered — Ministers  fight.  — 
Philip  overtaken. —  A  Battle  ensues — The  War  becomes  gen- 
eral. —  Its  Consequences.  —  Disgraceful  Conduct  towards  the  Dart- 
mouth Indians.  —  Sold  into  Slavery.  —  Influence  on  other  Tribes.  — 
Philip's  Ravages  in  Plymouth.  —  Retreats  to  a  Swamp.  —  The 
Swamp  surrounded.  — Philip  shot — The  Enemy  routed.  —  The 
Gun  preserved. —  Philip  beheaded  and  quartered.  —  His  Head  and 
Hand  preserved.  —  Bitter  Spiritof  the  English.  —  His  Head  exposed 
many  Years 236 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

The  War  not  ended.  —  Annawon  holds  out.  —  Prowls  around  the 
Town.  —  Church  goes  in  Pursuit.—  Captures  a  Party  of  Indians. — 
Man  seeking  his  Father.  —  Church  discovers  a  Path.  —  Takes  an  old 
Indian  and  young  Girl — Examines  them.  —  Learns  Annawon's 
Retreat.  —  Old  Man  becomes  Guide.  —  He  refuses  to  fight  against  his 
Chief.  —  Leads  them  to  Annawon's  Encampment.  —  High  Rock.  — 
Exciting  Scene.  —  Church's  Stratagem.  —  Its  Execution.  —  Anna- 
won  surprised.  —  The  whole  Band  captured —  Leaders  cannot 
sleep. —  Philip's  Ornaments  delivered  up.  —  Church's  Anxiety. — 
Morning.  — Prisoners  taken  to  Plymouth.  —  What  shall  be  done 
with  them  .'  —  Opinion  of  Ministers. —  Young  Annawon —  Prison- 
ers sold  into  Slavery.  —  Church  opposed  to  it 245 


16 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


The  Colonies  affected  by  the  Home  Government.  —  Arrival  of  An- 
dros.  — Encourages  Episcopacy.  —  Declares  Land  Titles  invalid.  — 

Appropriates  public   Property  to  private  Uses Prohibits    Town 

Meetings.  —  Other  Oppressions.  —  Andros  imprisoned.  —  Nathaniel 
Clark  seized,  —  Clark's  Island.  —  The  first  Sabbath.  —  Wiswall 
imprisoned.  —  Absence  from  Town  Meetings  fined.  —  A  Price  for 
Wolves'  Heads.  —  The  first  Selectmen.  —  The  first  Marriage. — 
An  honored  Lady.  —  Introduction  of  Neat  Cattle. —  First  Record 
of  Horses.  —  A  Present  to  Philip.  —  Merry  Mount.  —  Weetamore  be- 
headed.—  Its  Effect  on  the  Indians.  —  French  Vessel  wrecked. — 
The  Crew  seized  as  Prisoners.  —  Doctor  Le  Baron.  —  His  Settle- 
ment and  Marriage.  —  His  Attachment  to  the  Cross.  —  A  Premium 
for  Rats'  Heads.  —  First  public  Celebration  of  "  The  Landing."  — 
The  Dinner.  —  The  famous  Rock.  —  Its  Locality  proved.  —  The 
Evidence  of  Elder  Faunce  and  others.  —  The  Rock  splits. —  A 
good  Omen.— Is  removed. -- Treatment  of  Tories.  —  Wonderful 
Egg.  —  Dreadful  Shipwreck.  —  Statistics 257 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Attachment  to  the  Scriptures.  —  Reason  of  Puritanic  Singularities. — 
Precise  in  their  Manners.  —  Their  Ministers  of  equal  Authority. — 
Their  Government  republican.  —  Their  Self-reliance  and  divine 
Dependence. — Were  not  vindictive. —  Did  not  come  here  to  establish 
universal  Toleration.  —  Their  Object  was  Liberty  for  themselves. — 
This  the  Origin  of  their  Opposition  to  other  Sects.  —  The  Prospec- 
tive Influence  of  their  Principles 281 


CHAPTER    I. 

"  They  crowd  the  strand, 

Those  few,  lone  pilgrims.    Can  ye  scan  the  woe 
That  wrings  their  bosoms,  as  the  last  frail  link 
Binding  to  man  axxl  habitable  earth 
Is  severed  ?    On  ye  tell  what  pangs  were  there, 
What  keen  wgrets,  what  sickness  of  the  heart, 
What  yearning  o'er  their  forfeit  land  of  birth  j 
Their  distant,  dear  ones?  "  —  SIGOCRNET. 

A  Vessel.  —  Something  unusual  on  Board.  — Sympathy.  — Pastor's 
Prayer.  —  Separation.  —  Arrival  at  Southampton.  —  Robinson's 
Letter.  —  Division  of  the  Company.  —  Choice  of  Officers. — 
Departure  from  England.  —  Put  back  to  Dartmouth.  —  Start 
again.  —  Return  to  Plymouth.  —  One  Vessel  abandoned.  —  The 
other  starts  alone.  —  Storms. — Death  at  Sea.  —  Disheartening 
Event.  —  "Land."  —  Cape  Cod  Harbor.  —  Puritan  Pilgrims. — 
Thanks.  —  The  Compact.  —  Election  of  Governor.  —  The  Meu 
ashore.  —  Their  Discoveries.  —  The  Shallop.  — An  Expedition 
proposed. 

ABOUT  July  22,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1620, 
at  Delph  Haven,  in  Holland,  might  have  been  seen 
a  company  of  devout  Christian  men  and  women 
on  board  of  a  frail  vessel  of  peculiar  structure.  A 
casual  observer  might  have  perceived  that  something 
unusual  was  in  progress.  Little  groups  were  stand- 
ing here  and  there  in  earnest  conversation  ;  others, 
by  themselves,  were  looking  over  the  sides  of  the 
vessel,  or  gazing  with  deep  interest  upon  objects  with 
which  they  were  familiar,  but  which  they  never  ex- 


20  ROBINSON'S  PRATER. 

pected  to  behold  again.  Some  were  hurrying  to 
and  fro,  making  rapid  inquiries,  to  ascertain  that 
nothing  which  they  needed  on  board  was  left  behind. 
Friends  who  sympathized  with  them  had  come  from 
a  distance  to  give  them  the  parting  hand,  and  pro- 
nounce upon  them  their  farewell  blessing.  When 
the  hour  of  their  departure  arrived,  and  they  could 
tarry  no  longer  among  those  whom  they  loved  so 
well,  their  pastor,  Rev.  John  Robinson,  falling  upon 
his  knees  in  the  midst  of  the  little  company,  who 
also  knelt  around  him,  commended  them,  in  a  most 
fervent  prayer,  to  the  kind  protection  of  their  heav- 
enly Father.  After  the  religious  services  were  over, 
"  with  mutual  embraces,"  they  took  their  leave  of 
those  who  were  to  remain  behind. 

"  Truly  doleful  was  the  sight,"  says  Governor 
Bradford,  "  of  that  sad  and  mournful  parting ;  to 
see  what  sighs  and  sobs  and  prayers  did  sound 
amongst  them ;  what  tears  did  gush  from  every 
eye,  and  pithy  speeches  pierced  each  other's  heart, 
that  sundry  of  the  Dutch  strangers  that  stood  on 
the  quay  as  spectators  could  not  refrain  from  tears." 
Winslow,  who  was  with  the  company  on  board,  says, 
that  when  they  separated,  "  We  gave  them  a  volley 
of  small  shot,  and  three  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  so 
lifting  up  our  hands  to  each  other,  and  our  hearts 
for  each  other  to  the  Lord  our  God,  we  departed, 
and  found  his  presence  with  us."  They  directed 


THE    DEPARTURE.  21 

their  course  to  Southampton,  where  they  found  a 
larger  vessel,  commanded  by  Captain  Jones,  waiting 
for  them,  as  were  also  Mr.  Cushman  and  the  rest 
of  the  church,  who  were  to  accompany  them  across 
the  pathless  waters  to  a  new  world. 

Whilst  they  were  tarrying  there,  they  received  a 
letter  from  their  pastor,  at  Leyden,  Rev.  John  Rob- 
inson, who,  though  he  could  not  accompany  them, 
cherished  a  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  their 
enterprise,  and  who  availed  himself  of  this  early 
opportunity  to  send  them  an  epistle  filled  with 
judicious  counsels  and  cautions.  The  company 
were  soon  called  together,  and  listened  with  great 
pleasure  to  the  valuable  advice  of  their  religious 
guide.  They  were  then  divided  into  two  parties 
for  the  two  ships.  In  order  that  every  thing  might 
be  properly  conducted  on  board  of  their  respective 
vessels,  each  party,  with  the  permission  of  their 
captain,  chose  a  govejiior  and  two  or  three  assist- 
ants, who  were  to  exercise  over  them  a  general 
supervision. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  the  two  vessels,  the  names 
of  which  were  the  Mayflower  and  the  Speedwell, 
left  Southampton  on  their  perilous  voyage.  But 
they  had  not  sailed  far,  before  the  Speedwell,  wliich 
was  the  smaller  vessel  of  the  two,  was  found  to  be 
in  a  very  leaky  condition.  It  was  deemed  danger- 
ous to  proceed.  This  was  peculiarly  unfortunate. 


22  THE    RETURN. 

They  both  put  back  to  Dartmouth,  where  the  vesse 
was  examined  and  repaired.      She  was  found  to  be 
in  such  bad  condition,  that  if  she  had  continued  at 
sea  but  a  few  hours  longer,  she  must  have  sunk. 

About  the  21st  of  August,  they  ventured  to  sea 
ouce  more,  and  after  having  advanced  above  a 
hundred  leagues,  the  same  vessel  was  found  to  leak 
again,  more  badly,  if  possible,  than  before.  They 
returned  now  to  Plymouth.  Upon  a  second  exam- 
ination, as  no  important  leak  was  found,  the  trouble 
was  attributed  to  her  general  weakness,  on  which 
account  she  was  reluctantly  abandoned  as  an  unsafe 
craft  in  which  to  encounter  the  dangers  of  the  At- 
lantic. But  it  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the 
whole  difficulty  was  caused  by  the  deceitfulness  of 
the  captain  and  crew  of  the  Speedwell.  They  had 
engaged  to  remain  in  the  new  country,  whither  they 
were  going,  a  -whole  year  ;  but  they  repented  of 
their  bargain.  They  feared  that  whe"n  the  provisions 
which  they  carried  with  them  were  exhausted,  they 
would  be  unable  to  obtain  more,  and  consequently 
would  perish  from  famine.  They  therefore  pre- 
tended that  their  vessel  was  not  sea-worthy,  in 
order  to  have  an  excuse  for  retreating  from  their 
engagement,  and  tarrying  behind.  Some  of  them 
afterwards  confessed  their  timidity,  and  revealed  the 
stratagem.  After  the  abandonment  of  the  Speed- 
well, a,s  it  was  found  impossible  to  accommodate  all 


A    STORM.  23 

of  her  passengers  in  the  other  ship,  some  of  them 
were  compelled  to  relinquish  the  voyage.  This  gave 
occasion  for  another  painful  separation.  Among 
those  who  remained  behind  was  Mr.  Robert  Gush- 
man,  who  had  been  deeply  interested  in  the  ar- 
rangements and  objects  of  the  emigration,  and  who 
afterwards  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  history  of 
the  colony. 

Captain  Jones,  of  the  Mayflower,  received  on 
board  his  vessel  as  many  of  the  passengers  of  the 
Speedwell  as,  with  their  stores,  it  was  safe  for  him 
to  carry,  and  on  the  6th  of  September,  started 
alone.  The  little  vessel,  freighted  with  the  future 
liberties  and  glory  of  a  great  nation,  was  soon  over- 
taken by  violent  storms,  which  strained  her,  rendered 
her  leaky,  and  cracked  one  of  the  "  main  beams 
of  the  mid-ships."  Fears  were  entertained  that  she 
would  never  reach  her  destined  shores.  One  of  the 
passengers  having  brought  "  a  great  iron  screw  from 
Holland,"  it  was  employed  in  bringing  the  broken 
beam  into  its  place  again,  where  it  was  securely 
fastened  by  the  carpenter.  The  storm  continued  to 
rage  so  furiously  that  not  a  single  sail  could  be  used, 
and  they  were  tossed  helplessly  about  for  many 
days  together,  like  a  feather  upon  the  boisterous 
waves.  An  additional  ingredient  in  their  cup  of 
sorrow  was  the  unwelcome  visit  of  death.  To  one 
of  their  number  the  green  bed  of  the  ocean  fur- 


24  BURIAL    AT    SEA. 

nished  a  grave.  A  burial  at  sea  is  always  impres- 
sive. The  solemnity  of  the  ship's  company  ;  the 
placing  of  the  corpse  on  the  narrow  plank ;  the 
brief  prayer  —  perhaps  the  absence  of  prayer  ;  the 
raising  of  the  corpse  to  the  side  of  the  vessel  by 
those  who  had  been  the  cheerful  companions  of  the 
deceased  thus  far  ;  the  last  look ;  the  launch  into  the 
sea ;  the  sullen,  gurgling  plunge ;  its  disappearance 
without  leaving  a  trace  behind ;  and  the  sense  of  loss 
which  the  survivors  feel ;  —  all  combined,  serve  to 
render  such  a  catastrophe  deeply  affecting;  but,  in 
the  present  instance,  it  was  unusually  so.  This  band 
of  pilgrims  were  on  their  way  to  a  country  destitute 
of  civilized  inhabitants.  They  were  about  to  form  a 
settlement  in  an  inhospitable  clime,  and  among  sav- 
age men,  three  thousand  miles  from  their  own  land. 
Their  whole  number  would  be  sufficiently  small  to  be 
placed  in  such  perilous  circumstances,  so  far  from 
those  who  could  aid  them,  in  case  help  should  be 
needed.  To  all  appearance  they  could  spare  none. 
When,  therefore,  this  death  occurred  on  their 
voyage,  it  must  have  been  a  disheartening  event.  It 
must  have  served  to  deepen  their  sense  of  depend- 
ence upon  that  great  and  good  Being,  under  whose 
auspices  the  enterprise  was  commenced,  and  without 
whose  constant  care  it  would  inevitably  fail. 

November  9,  the  cheering  cry  was  heard,  "  Land, 
land  ! "     It  proved  to  be    Cape   Cod.     As   it  was 


PURITAN    PILGRIMS.  25 

their  design  to  commence  their  settlements  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hudson's  River,  they  steered  their  course 
southerly  to  reach  the  mouth  of  that  noble  stream. 
They  soon  found  themselves  among  shoals  and 
breakers.  As  the  wind  subsided,  they  discovered 
that  they  were  in  danger  and  could  not  proceed. 
They  retraced  their  course,  and  by  the  next  day 
arrived  at  the  Cape  Harbor. 

This  band  of  adventurers  were  PURITAN  PIL- 
GRIMS, who,  because  they  could  not  enjoy  liberty  of 
conscience  in  their  own  country,  had  most  unwill- 
ingly, and  at  great  sacrifice,  left  it,  in  order  that  they 
might  find  a  place  where  they  could  worship  God, 
and  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  religion  according  to 
their  own  views  of  duty,  without  the  opposition  of 
the  civil  power.  Another  object  which  they  had  in 
view,  and  which  they  ever  kept  constantly  before 
them,  was  the  conversion  of  the  natives  of  the  coun- 
try whither  they  were  going  —  the  savage  and  super- 
stitious Indians,  to  Christianity. 

As  every  thing  connected  with  the  landing  and 
the  first  settlement  of  these  Pilgrims  is  both  inter- 
esting and  instructive,  we  shall  enter  somewhat  into 
the  details  of  their  early  adventures. 

The  Puritans  were  men  of  prayer.  In  all  under- 
takings of  importance,  they  were  accustomed  to 
.seek  direction  from  their  heavenly  Father,  and 
implore  his  blessing.  Accordingly,  on  Saturday, 

a 


536  THE    COMPACT. 

November  11,  religious  services  were  held  on  board 
of  the  Mayflower.  They  fell  on  their  knees, 
rendered  thanks  to  God  for  his  kind  protection  of 
them  during  their  dangerous  voyage  across  the 
ocean,  and  implored  his  favor  to  rest  upon  them 
amid  the  toils,  trials,  and  temptations  upon  which 
they  were  now  to  enter. 

As  some  of  the  party  were  "  not  well  affected  to 
unity  and  concord,  but  gave  some  appearance  of 
faction,"  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  enter  into  a 
mutual  compact  or  agreement.  Accordingly,  a  doc- 
ument was  prepared,  in  which  they  said,  "  Having 
undertaken,  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Christian  faith  and  honor  of  our  king 
and  country,  a  voyage  to  plant  the  first  colony  in 
the  northern  parts  of  Virginia,  we  do,  by  these 
presents,  solemnly  and  mutually,  in  the  presence  of 
God  and  one  another,  covenant  and  combine  our- 
selves together  into  a  civil  body  politic,  for  our 
better  ordering,  and  preservation,  and  furtherance 
of  the  ends  aforesaid ;  and  by  virtue  hereof  to 
enact,  constitute,  and  frame  such  just  and  equal 
laws,  ordinances,  acts,  constitutions,  and  offices, 
from  time  to  time,  as  shall  be  thought  most  meet 
and  convenient  for  the  general  good  of  the  colony ; 
unto  which  we  promise  all  due  submission  and 
obedience." 

This  important  document,  which  was  "  the  birth 


ELECTION    OF    GOVERNOR.  27 

of  popular  constitutional  liberty,"  was  signed  by  all 
the  men.  It  was  the  formation  of  a  government  of 
"  equal  laws "  for  "  the  general  good."  It  was 
the  germ  of  those  free  institutions  which  are  now 
diffusing  liberty,  prosperity,  and  happiness  through- 
out our  highly-favored  New  England.  Its  influence 
upon  the  subsequent  history  of  our  country  cannot 
be  too  highly  valued. 

Their  next  measure  was  the  election  of  a  gov- 
ernor for  the  year.  Their  choice  fell  upon  John 
Carver,  who  is  described  as  "  a  pious  and  well- 
approved  gentleman."  The  high  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  is  evinced  by  the  fact  that  he 
was  chosen  unanimously.  Thus  their  government 
was  formed  and  their  governor  chosen  before  they 
left  the  deck  of  the  Mayflower  ! 

The  same  day,  a  company  of  fifteen  or  sixteen 
men,  well  armed,  so  as  to  defend  themselves 
against  the  Indians,  went  on  shore  to  obtain  wood, 
as  their  stock  on  board  was  exhausted,  and  also  to 
examine  the  land,  and  discover,  if  possible,  inhab- 
itants. They  found  the  country  covered  with  trees 
of  various  kinds,  among  which  were  sassafras,  juni- 
per, walnut,  ash,  birch,  oaks,  and  pines.  These 
were  free  from  under-bush,  so  that  they  might  have 
rode  among  them  without  inconvenience.  No  in- 
habitants were  seen.  They  loaded  their  boat  with 
juniper,  to  which  they  were  partial  for  fuel,  as,  in 


28  THE    SHALLOP. 

burning,  it  exhaled  a  pleasant  fragrance.  They  re- 
turned the  same  night.  The  cold  season  was  rap- 
idly advancing.  Some  of  the  company  had  been 
cooped  up  in  the  narrow  limits  of  the  Mayflower 
over  a  hundred  days.  A  place  for  their  disembark- 
ation and  settlement  was  yet  to  be  selected.  They 
naturally  felt  solicitous  to  get  their  shallop  out,  and 
make  explorations  along  the  shore  in  search  of  good 
winter  quarters.  As  they  had  been  obliged  to  cut  it 
down  in  order  to  stow  it  between  decks,  and  as  the 
people  had  used  it  for  a  sleeping  berth  on  the 
voyage,  it  was  found  to  be  in  great  need  of  repairs. 
Sixteen  or  seventeen  tedious  days  was  the  carpenter 
employed  in  making  it  sea-worthy.  As  no  Indians 
were  at  hand  to  molest  them,  the  men  went  on 
shore  for  amusement,  and  the  women  to  wash. 
Some  of  the  men  desired  to  make  excursions  into 
the  country,  for  purposes  of  discovery.  Others 
thought  that  it  would  be  a  dangerous  experiment. 
However,  a  party  of  sixteen  men  was  placed  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Miles  Standish,  with  whom 
were  appointed,  as  counsellors  and  advisers,  Wil- 
liam Bradford,  Stephen  Hopkins,  and  Edward  Til- 
ley.  After  receiving  many  cautions  and  directions 
how  to  proceed  in  case  of  peculiar  emergencies, 
they  departed.  The  adventures  with  which  they 
met  will  be  narrated  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER    II. 

"  By  yon  wave-beaten  rock, 
See  the  illustrious  flock 

Collected  stand  ; 
To  seek  some  sheltering  grove, 
Their  faithful  partners  move, 
Dear  pledges  of  their  love 

In  either  hand.  —  JOHN-  DAVIS. 

Exploring  Party.  —  See  some  Indians.  —  Their  Pursuit  and  Be- 
havior. —  Night.  —  Pursuit  renewed.  —  Great  Thirst.  —  The  first 
Drink  of  New  England  Water.  —  Deer.  —  Indian  Graves.  — 
Corn  found  buried.  —  Large  Kettle.  —  A  Fort.  —  River  discov- 
ered.—  Encampment  in  a  stormy  Night. —  The  Party  lost.  —  A 
Trap  found  in  the  Woods.  —  Reasons  for  minute  Description. — 
Strength  of  Principle.  —  Water  Excursion.  —  A  Party  land.  — 
Mummies  discovered.  —  Wigwams  and  Contents. —  First  Birth. 
—  Third  Excursion.  —  Midnight  Alarm.  —  Skirmish  with  the  In- 
dians. —  Thanks  for  Victory.  —  Storm  and  Danger.  —  Clark's 
Island. —  Sabbath  observed. — Landing  of  the  Pilgrims.  —  Di- 
vision of  the  Land. —  Commence  building.  —  Fire. —  Two  Men 
Lost.  —  Their  Adventures.  —  The  first  Sabbath  on  the  main 
Land.  —  The  first  Winter. —  The  Number  of  Immigrants. — 
Suffering.  —  Deaths.  —  Place  called  Plymouth.  —  Return  of  the 
Mayflower. 

THE  party  of  sixteen,  after  they  had  received 
their  instructions,  went  on  shore.  They  arranged 
themselves  in  single  file,  and  after  marching  in  this 
manner  about  a  mile,  they  saw  five  or  six  individuals 
advancing  towards  them,  accompanied  by  a  dog. 
They  were  Indians,  the  first  they  had  seen  since 
their  arrival.  When  the  savages  discovered  the 
3* 


FIRST    NEW    ENGLAND    WATER. 

party,  they  immediately  fled.  The  men  followed 
them  by  their  trail  for  ten  miles.  Night  coming  on, 
their  pursuit  was  stopped.  They  gathered  wood, 
kindled  a  fire,  set  three  for  sentinels,  and  encamped 
till  morning.  As  s*oon  as  it  was  sufficiently  light  for 
them  to  discover  the  tracks  of  the  Indians,  they 
renewed  their  pursuit.  Their  course  was  greatly 
impeded  by  the  woods  and  bushes  tlirough  which 
they  passed,  and  which  tore  their  "  very  armor  in 
pieces."  They  were  unsuccessful  in  overtaking 
them ;  neither  did  they  discover  any  villages  or 
single  tents.  As  they  took  with  them  no  water,  and 
had  discovered  none  which  they  could  drink  since 
they  left  the  ship,  they  suffered  much  from  tliirst. 
They  had  with  them  a  "  little  bottle  of  aquavita" 
but  that  was  far  from  affording  them  the  needed 
relief.  However,  they  persevered  in  their  journey, 
and  about  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  they  entered 
a  deep  valley,  in  which  were  many  little  paths  run- 
ning in  different  directions.  To  their  great  joy, 
they  here  found  several  springs  of  fresh  water,  from 
which  they  obtained  an  abundant  supply.  "  We 
were  heartily  glad,"  say  they  in  their  journal,  "  and 
sat  us  down  and  drunk  our  first  New  England  water 
with  as  much  delight  as  ever  we  drunk  drink  in  all 
our  lives."  They  here  discovered  some  deer.  The 
narrow  tracks  which  they  saw  were  probably  made 
by  deer  and  other  animals  when  going  to  the  springs 


DISCOVERIES.  31 

to  drink.  Leaving  this  refreshing  valley,  they  di- 
rected their  course  to  the  south.  When  they  reached 
the  shore,  they  kindled  a  fire  to  indicate  their  posi- 
tion to  those  on  board  the  ship.  Passing  on  farther, 
they  came  to  several  small  sand-hills  covered  with 
mats,  with  a  wooden  object  shaped  something  like  a 
mortar  on  the  top,  with  an  earthern  pot  placed  in  a 
.small  hole  at  the  end.  They  dug  into  them,  and 
found  a  bow  and  some  decayed  arrows.  Supposing 
them  to  be  Indian  sepulchres,  they  replaced  these 
objects,  and  restored  the  hills  to  their  original 
appearance.  They  were  unwilling  to  irritate  the 
natives  by  plundering  the  graves  of  their  friends. 
They  passed  by  some  pieces  of  land  where  stubble 
was  standing,  from  which  the  corn  had  been  recently 
gathered,  and  where  a  house  had  formerly  stood- 
They  found  a  large  kettle  \vhich  had  probably  be- 
longed to  some  ship,  and  also  a  great  quantity  of 
corn,  red,  yellow,  and  blue,  some  shelled  and  some 
in  the  ear.  A  part  of  the  corn  was  contained  in  a 
round  basket,  narrow  at  the  top,  and  a  part  was 
buried  in  the  ground.  They  filled  the  kettle  with 
corn  for  two  men  to  carry  between  them.  They 
also  stowed  as  much  in  their  pockets  as  they  con- 
veniently could.  The  remainder  they  buried  again. 
Their  intention  was,  if  they  could  obtain  an  inter- 
view with  any  of  the  natives,  to  pay  them  for  the 
corn,  and  return  them  the  kettle  if  they  wanted  it. 


054  CAUGHT    IN    A   TRAP. 

Not  far  from  this  place  they  came  to  a  rude  fort. 
They  next  discovered  a  river,  in  which  they  saw  two 
canoes.  They  were  now  obliged  to  return,  as  they 
had  orders  to  be  absent  only  two  days.  They  re- 
traced their  steps  to  the  spring  of  fresh  water. 
Here  they  erected  a  rough  barricade  to  keep  of  the 
wind,  built  a  fire,  appointed  their  sentinels,  and 
passed  the  night  as  comfortably  as  they  could  in  a 
heavy  storm  of  rain.  In  the  morning  they  sunk  the 
kettle  in  a  pond,  "  trimmed "  their  muskets  anew, 
as  they  could  not  be  fired  in  consequence  of  the 
wet,  and  pressed  towards  the  ship.  On  their  return, 
they  lost  their  way,  and  were  at  their  "  wits'  end  " 
to  know  what  course  to  pursue.  Whilst  they  were 
wandering  about,  they  came  to  a  trap  made  by 
bending  down  the  small  branch  of  a  tree,  with  a 
rope-noose  attached.  It  had  probably  been  set  by 
the  Indians  to  take  deer.  As  they  were  examining 
it,  it  suddenly  sprang,  and  caught  one  of  the  party  by 
the  leg.  It  exhibited  considerable  ingenuity.  They 
also  saw  great  numbers  of  wild  geese  and  ducks,  a 
few  partridges,  and  three  bucks.  At  last  they  came 
in  sight  of  the  ship.  They  fired  off  their  guns  as 
a  signal,  when  those  on  board  immediately  sent  the 
long-boat,  and  gave  them  a  hearty  welcome  home. 
With  what  interest  did  their  friends  gather  around 
them  to  hear  the  story  of  their  adventures !  How 
many  questions  they  asked  respecting  those  Indians, 


STRENGTH    OF    PRINCIPLE.  33 

the  springs,  the  graves,  the  kettle,  the  canoes,  the 
trap  !  With  what  joy  did  they  examine  the  corn  of 
divers  colors  !  They  must  have  regarded  it  some- 
what as  the  Jews  did  the  grapes  of  Eschol,  which 
were  brought  back  by  the  spies  who  were  sent  to 
examine  the  land.  It  was  the  first  fruits  of  the 
land  of  promise.  Soon,  snow  began  to  fall. 

We  have  been  thus  particular  in  giving  these  de- 
tails, because  this  was  the  first  excursion  of  the  Puri- 
tan Pilgrims  in  New  England,  where  they  had  come 
to  seek  a  home  for  themselves,  their  wives,  and  their 
children.  What  strength  of  religious  principle, 
what  moral  and  physical  courage,  what  self-denial, 
and  what  strong  confidence  in  God  must  have  been 
requisite  to  induce  them  to  disembark  and  com- 
mence the  settlement  of  this  comparatively  barren 
country,  with  nothing  over  them  but  the  heavens 
enshrouded  with  clouds,  and  the  earth  around  them 
covered  with  snow,  as  if  Nature  were  enrobed  in 
the  winding-sheet  of  death.  The  incidents  of  their 
early  liistory  should  never  be  forgotten. 

Their  next  excursion  was  on  the  water,  in  their 
frail  shallop.  The  number  of  this  party  was  thirty- 
four,  ten  of  whom  were  sailors  who  belonged  to  the 
ship.  They  had  a  severe  time,  very  different  from 
the  pleasure  excursions  which  are  now  made  in  the 
same  waters  every  year.  The  wind  blew  strong,  the 
waves  ran  liigh,  the  snow  fell,  and  the  spray,  as  it 


34  EMBALMED    BODY. 

dashed  upon  them,  was  converted  to  ice.  Some  of 
them  became  so  chilled,  and  took  such  severe  colds 
as  afterwards  resulted  in  death.  A  portion  of  them 
landed,  but  soon  became  "  tired  with  marching  up 
and  down  the  steep  hills  and  deep  valleys  which  lay 
half  a  foot  thick  with  snow."  They  encamped  for 
the  night  under  a  few  pine-trees.  As  they  had 
eaten  nothing  since  the  morning,  three  fat  geese  and 
six  ducks  which  they  obtained  furnished  them  with 
a  very  acceptable  supper. 

When  they  arrived  at  Pamet  River  where  the  pre- 
vious party  had  seen  the  two  canoes,  they  ferried 
themselves  across. 

They  next  visited  the  place  where  the  corn  and  ket- 
tle were  obtained.  They  found  a  bottle  of  oil,  a  bag 
of  beans,  some  wheat  ears,  and  seven  or  eight  bush- 
els more  of  corn.  They  came  upon  a  grave  much 
larger  than  any  they  had  seen  before.  It  was  cov- 
ered with  boards.  After  some  hesitation  they  opened 
it,  not  knowing,  from  its  external  appearance,  what 
it  was.  It  contained  mats,  broaches,  bowls,  dishes, 
trinkets,  and  two  large  bundles.  These  bundles 
were  very  peculiar.  The  larger  one  contained 
the  bones  and  skull  of  a  human  being,  enveloped  in 
a  great  quantity  of  fine  red  powder,  with  a  knife, 
a  large  needle,  and  several  implements  of  iron, 
whose  use  they  could  not  determine.  In  the  smaller 
one  was  the  skeleton  of  a  child.  It  was  accom- 


"FIRST    BIRTH.  JJ5 

panied  \vith  strings,  bracelets  of  fine  white  beads,  a 
small  bow,  and  "  some  other  odd  knackes."  The 
red  powder  yielded  a  strong,  though  not  unpleasant 
odor,  and  seemed  to  have  been  used  for  the  purpose 
of  embalming.  They  selected  some  of  the  most 
interesting  articles  to  take  away  with  them,  and, 
covering  up  the  rest,  they  left  the  grave,  in  appear- 
ance, as  they  found  it. 

They  came  across  a  couple  of  Indian  tents,  desti- 
tute of  inhabitants,  but  containing  a  variety  of  bas- 
kets, bowls,  pots,  trays,  dishes,  with  eagles'  claws, 
deer's  heads  and  hoofs,  harts'  horns,  and  other 
articles  in  use  among  the  Indians.  After  rambling 
about  in  various  directions,  without  any  important 
results,  they  returned  to  the  vessel. 

Whilst  this  party  were  absent  on  their  explora- 
tions, a  child  was  born  on  board  of  the  Mayflower, 
who  was  named  Peregrine  White.  This  was  the 
first  English  child  born  in  New  England.  There 
are  people  now  living,  who,  in  their  early  years, 
were  acquainted  with  persons  who  had  seen  and 
conversed  with  Peregrine.  He  was  then  removed 
from  such  survivors  by  only  one  generation.  This 
fact  makes  his  history  seem  quite  recent.  He  died 
in  Marshfield,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years  and 
eight  months. 

To  return  to  the  immigrants.  As  no  place  had  as 
yet  been  discovered  where  they  were  willing  to 


36  FIRST    COMBAT. 

commence  their  settlement,  on  the  sixth  of  Decem- 
ber a  third  party  went  forth  to  make  further  discov- 
eries. As  they  were  sailing  along  the  shore  in  the 
shallop,  they  saw  on  land  about  a  dozen  Indians, 
very  busy  in  carrying  something  away.  They  after- 
wards discovered  that  it  was  a  dead  grampus,  from 
which  fact  they  named  the  place  Grampus  Bay, 
now  known  as  Eastham.  The  party  landed  and 
went  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians.  They  passed  by 
some  abandoned  tents  or  huts,  a  large  burying 
ground,  and  some  corn-fields.  Being  unsuccessful 
in  overtaking  the  natives,  they  returned  to  the  shore 
and  encamped.  About  midnight,  they  were  dis- 
turbed by  a  "  great  and  hideous  cry."  "  Arm  ! 
arm  !  "  shouted  the  sentinel.  The  men  sprang  to 
their  feet,  seized  their  guns,  and  two  of  them  fired ; 
but  as  nothing  more  was  heard,  they  concluded  that 
it  must  have  been  wolves  or  foxes.  The  next  morn- 
ing, after  prayers  were  over,  whilst  they  were  pre- 
paring for  another  journey,  they  were  suddenly 
attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians,  who  came  upon 
them  with  a  great  noise.  A  combat  ensued.  Un- 
fortunately, the  men  were  divided.  Some  were  on 
the  shore,  and  some  on  board  the  shallop.  How- 
ever, the  guns  of  the  Puritans  were  more  than  a 
match  for  the  arrows  of  the  Indians.  The  savages 
fled,  and  were  followed  a  considerable  distance. 
The  men  paused,  shouted  after  them  twice,  and 


A    DREARY    SABBATH.  37 

fired  oft*  a  couple  of  guns  to  indicate  to  the  enemy 
that  they  were  not  alarmed.  It  was  supposed  that 
they  numbered  thirty  or  forty.  Their  arrows,  headed 
with  eagles'  claws,  horn,  and  pieces  of  brass,  were 
picked  up,  and  afterwards  sent  to  England.  The 
place  where  this  conflict  occurred,  they  named 
"  The  First  Encounter."  After  offering  thanks  to 
their  heavenly  Father  for  their  victory,  they  returned 
to  their  shallop,  and  continued  their  excursion.  A 
heavy  storm  of  wind,  rain,  and  snow  beat  upon 
them.  Their  rudder  broke  and  became  unman 
ageable.  Presently  their  mast  was  split  into 
three  pieces.  In  this  condition,  they  came  very 
near  being  totally  wrecked.  Finally,  after  great 
anxiety  and  toil,  they  reached  an  island  near  the 
entrance  of  Plymouth  harbor,  where  they  spent  the 
night  in  safety,  though  very  uncomfortably,  under 
the  peltings  of  a  pitiless  winter  storm.  Tliis  was 
subsequently  called  Clark's  Island,  in  honor  of  the 
mate  of  the  Mayflower,  who  is  said  to  have  been 
the  first  who  stepped  upon  it. 

The  next  day  being  the  Sabbath,  they  rested. 
We  should  suppose  that  if  there  is  any  virtue  in  the 
plea  of  "  necessity  and  mercy "  for  attending  to 
secular  affairs  on  the  Sabbath,  it  ought  to  have 
availed  with  them.  They  were  houseless,  friend- 
less, and  on  an  unknown  shore,  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  with  its  severities  daily  increasing  upon  them. 
4 


38  LANDING    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Their  provisions  were  diminishing,  some  of  their 
number  were  sick,  and  every  hour  increased  the 
importance  of  their  coming  to  a  decision  where  to 
land.  Yet  with  this  combination  of  pressing  emer- 
gencies, they  refused  to  spend  the  Sabbath  in  seek- 
ing a  harbor.  Their  trust  was  in  God.  They  felt 
secure  of  his  protection  so  long  as  they  were  faithful 
to  his  commandments. 

The  next  day  being  Monday,  December  11,  old 
style,  but  the  22d,  new  style,  they  examined  the 
harbor,  and  found  it  convenient  for  shipping.  They 
then  went  on  the  main  land,  where  Plymouth  now 
stands,  and,  finding  some  of  it  cleared  and  some  of 
it  wooded,  with  plenty  of  springs  and  running 
brooks,  they  deemed  it  a  suitable  place  to  com- 
mence their  settlement,  and  this  was  "  The  Landing 
of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,"  an  event  which  is  now 
annually  commemorated  by  the  descendants  of  the 
Puritans  in  various  parts  of  our  land,  and  which,  in 
its  influence  upon  posterity,  has  been  followed  by 
the  most  glorious  results  ever  achieved  by  man. 

In  making  arrangements  for  the  division  of  the 
land,  the  whole  company  were  divided  into  families, 
each  single  man  joining  some  family.  This  ren- 
dered a  smaller  number  of  houses  necessary.  To 
each  person  they  assigned  a  lot,  half  a  pole  in 
length  and  three  in  breadth,  or  8£  feet  by  49£.  In 
the  erection  of  their  houses,  they  incurred  many 


I 

TWO    MEN    LOST.  39 

difficulties.  Trees  had  to  be  felled,  timber  hewn, 
holes  dug  in  the  frozen  soil,  and  much  of  this  they 
were  obliged  to  do  in  the  midst  of  very  wet,  cold, 
and  stormy  weather.  To  increase  their  difficulties, 
the  Mayflower  was  anchored  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
the  shore.  As  there  was  frequent  occasion  for  pass- 
ing to  and  fro,  this  distance  subjected  them  to  great 
inconvenience.  Besides,  as  every  man  was  intent 
upon  finishing  liis  own  house,  they  could  render  but 
little  assistance  to  each  other.  One  building,  twenty 
feet  square,  was  erected  as  a  place  of  common  ren- 
dezvous ;  but  this  was  soon  accidentally  burnt  down, 
and  though  the  house  contained  powder  and  loaded 
guns,  and  Governor  Carver  and  William  Bradford 
were  there  confined  to  their  bed,  yet  no  person  was 
injured. 

Two  of  their  number  being  sent  out  to  cut 
thatch  one  morning,  got  lost.  Not  returning,  sev- 
eral others  went  in  search  of  them,  but  without 
success.  Sorrow  filled  the  hearts  of  the  company. 
They  feared  that  their  friends  had  been  cap- 
tured by  the  Indians :  but  the  next  day  they 
returned,  to  the  great  joy  of  all.  They  lost 
themselves  by  chasing  a  deer.  The  night  was  wet 
and  stormy,  yet  they  had  to  spend  it  in  the  open 
air  with  wild  beasts,  which  they  supposed  were 
lions,  roaring  around  them.  One  of  them,  John 
Goodman,  was  frost-bitten  so  badly  that  his  shoes 


I 

40  FIRST    SABBATH    ON    SHOBJ:. 

had  to  be  cut  from  his  feet,  and  for  a  long  time  he 
was  unable  to  walk.  The  21st  of  January  was  the 
Sabbath.  As  the  largest  portion  of  the  people  were 
on  land,  they  kept  the  Sabbath  there.  This  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  first  Lord's  day  which  was 
observed  upon  the  shore. 

Indians  were  seen  upon  the  water,  but  could  not 
be  spoken  with.  A  house  which  had  been  built  for 
the  sick  took  fire  from  a  spark,  but  was  not  much 
injured.  Indians  skulked  around  them,  and  stole 
the  tools  which  the  men  left  in  the  woods.  All 
attempts  to  have  an  interview  with  them  proved 
unavailing.  Occasionally  a  few  wild  fowl  were  shot, 
which  furnished  them  with  a  dainty  repast.  As  a 
protection  against  the  natives,  who,  judging  from 
their  conduct,  were  viciously  inclined,  they  planted 
two  cannon  upon  a  hill  which  was  near.  Thus 
they  wore  away  their  first  dreary  winter  upon  the 
wild  and  bleak  coast  of  New  England,  without  any 
incident  transpiring  of  special  importance. 

It  is  evident  from  the  journals  of  that  season  that 
the  winter  was  xinusually  mild  If  it  had  been  as 
severe  as  many  which  have  since  been  experienced, 
we  see  not  how  they  could  have  survived  till  spring. 

The  number  who  left  Plymouth  in  the  May- 
flower was  just  one  hundred.  One  died  on  the 
passage,  and  one  was  born ;  so  that  the  number 
who  landed  was  one  hundred.  Scarcity  of  food, 


GREAT   MORTALITY.  41 

with  exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  introduced  disease, 
and,  by  the  opening  of  spring,  one  half  their 
number  were  swept  away  by  death  !  To  increase 
their  affliction,  among  the  deceased  was  John  Car- 
ver, their  governor.  Some  of  the  time  two  and 
three  would  die  in  a  day.  The  well  were  not 
sufficient  to  provide  for  the  sick,  and  the  living 
hardly  able  to  bury  the  dead. 

The  name  of  Plymouth  was  given  to  the  new 
colony,  as  a  token  of  respect  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Plymouth,  in  England,  where  the  Puritans  were 
treated  with  kindness  when  they  put  back  in  dis- 
tress. After  the  death  of  Carver,  William  Bradford 
was  chosen  governor.  The  same  day  that  Carver 
died,  which  was  the  5th  of  April,  1621,  the  May- 
flower sailed  for  England.  She  came  to  anchor  in 
Cape  Cod  Harbor,  November  10.  She  had  re- 
mained, therefore,  with  the  Pilgrims  nearly  five 
months,  furnishing  them  with  a  shelter  until  they 
could  get  their  own  rough  huts  erected.  This  was 
a  great  convenience,  especially  to  the  females,  the 
children,  and  the  sick. 
4* 


CHAPTER    III. 

"  Our  fathers'  God  !  thy  own  decree 
Ordained  the  Pilgrims  to  be  free  ; 
In  foreign  lands  they  owned  thy  care, 
And  found  a  safe  asylum  there." —  REV.  DR.  HOLMES. 

A  strange  Visitor. —  Unexpected  Salutation.  —  Information  given. 
—  A  Difficulty.  —  A  Kidnapper.  —  Indians  enslaved.  —  More 
Visitors. —  Squanto's  Adventures.  —  Indian  Chiefs.  —  Visit  of 
Ceremony.  —  First  Treaty.  —  The  Visit  returned.  —  Massasoit's 
Poverty.  —  Novel  Mode  of  Eeling.  —  First  Oflence.  —  The  Pen- 
alty. —  Billing-ton's  Character.  —  First  Duel.  —  Peculiar  Pun- 
ishment. —  Praying  for  Mercy.  —  Character  of  the  Government. 

ON  the  morning  of  Friday,  the  16th  of  March, 
the  immigrants  were  alarmed  by  seeing  an  Indian 
enter  their  little  village,  and,  with  great  boldness, 
march  directly  towards  their  place  of  rendezvous. 
Here  they  intercepted  him,  as  otherwise  he  would 
have  entered  ;  when,  to  their  surprise  and  joy,  he 
accosted  them  in  broken  English,  and  bade  them 
"  Welcome."  He  was  entirely  naked,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  strip  of  leather  around  his  waist  having 
a  fringe  three  or  four  inches  long.  He  was  tall  and 
straight,  and  had  long  straight  black  hair,  but  no 
beard.  His  weapons  were  a  bow  and  two  arrows, 
only  one  of  which  was  headed.  The  Pilgrims  treated 
him  with  great  hospitality.  This  was  demanded  both 
by  duty  and  sound  policy.  From  conversation  with 


HOSPITALITY.  43 

him,  they  ascertained  that  he  was  a  chief  of  a  tribe 
of  Indians  whose  land  was  distant  five  days'  jour- 
ney. He  had  learned  a  little  English  from  the 
fishermen  who  frequented  the  coast  of  Maine.  He 
asked  them  for  beer,  but  they  gave  him  "  strong 
water,"  biscuit,  butter,  cheese,  pudding,  and  a  piece 
of  mallard.  These  he  relished.  He  had  acquired  a 
taste  for  them  by  his  previous  intercourse  with  the 
English.  He  informed  them  that  the  place  where 
they  were  was  called  Patuxet,  and  that  about  four 
years  previously,  by  some  dreadful  pestilence,  all 
the  Indians  who  resided  there  were  swept  away. 
None  now  remained  to  claim  the  soil.  They  also 
obtained  information  from  him  respecting  different 
parts  of  the  country,  what  tribes  inhabited  them, 
their  numbers,  and  the  chiefs  or  sagamores  who 
ruled  them.  Notwithstanding  he  was  so  communi- 
cative, when  night  came  they  were  desirous  that  he 
should  leave.  This  he  was  unwilling  to  do.  It 
became  then  a  grave  question  how  they  should 
dispose  of  him  until  morning.  Although  they  were 
willing  to  listen  to  his  conversation  whilst  they  were 
awake,  and  had  their  weapons  at  hand,  they  had  no 
inclination  to  sleep  in  his  company.  It  was  pro- 
posed that  he  should  lodge  on  board  the  Mayflower. 
To  this  he  assented  ;  but  when  they  attempted  to 
go  to  her  in  the  shallop,  the  wind  was  so  powerful, 
and  the  water  so  low,  that  they  found  it  impossible 


44  DISGRACEFUL,    CONDUCT. 

to  succeed.  They  were  obliged,  therefore,  to  lodge 
him  in  one  of  their  houses  ;  but  as  a  precautionary 
arrangement,  they  kept  over  him  a  strict  watch. 
The  next  day  he  returned  to  Massasoit,  the  chief  of 
a  tribe  of  Indians  whom  he  represented  as  being 
the  nearest  of  any  to  the  Plymouth  settlement. 
Another  tribe,  called  the  Nausets,  were,  according 
to  his  account,  greatly  incensed  against  the  English. 
They  had  sufficient  cause.  Some  years  before  their 
arrival,  a  shipmaster  by  the  name  of  Hunt,  whose 
name  is  held  in  merited  disgrace,  invited  some  of 
them  on  board  his  vessel,  professedly  for  purposes 
of  traffic.  After  some  twenty  or  thirty  had  ac- 
cepted his  invitation,  he  hoisted  sail  and  bore  away 
to  the  coasts  of  Spain,  where  he  sold  these  free  sons 
of  the  forest  into  humiliating,  disgraceful,  and  pain- 
ful slavery.  Such  an  atrocious  crime  as  this  they 
could  neither  forget  nor  forgive.  They  burned  for 
revenge.  It  was  this  tribe  who  attacked  the  ex- 
ploring party  and  were  defeated,  the  account  of 
which  we  have  already  given. 

The  savage  whose  unexpected  visit  to  the  Pil- 
grims we  have  now  narrated,  was  named  Samoset. 
When  he  left  Plymouth,  he  carried  with  him  pres- 
ents of  a  knife,  bracelet,  and  a  ring,  which  were 
given  him  by  the  English.  He  promised  to  return 
within  a  day  or  two,  and  bring  with  him  some  of 
Massasoit's  Indians,  to  open  a  trade  in  furs  with  the 


PRESENTS    TO    SAMOSET.  45 

colony.  He  fulfilled  his  promise  the  next  day. 
Five  others  came  with  him,  dressed  in  their  peculiar 
costume  of  deer  skins,  leathern  leggins,  and  tawdry 
ornaments.  They  were  hospitably  received  by  the 
colonists  ;  but  as  it  was  the  Sabbath,  no  business 
was  transacted  with  them.  They  were  dismissed  as 
early  as  possible.  Samoset,  who  probably  fared 
better  among  the  English  than  when  with  the  In- 
dians, was  sick,  or  pretended  to  be,  and  would  not 
return  with  the  others.  He  remained  till  the  next 
Wednesday.  As  the  others  did  not  repeat  their 
visit,  according  to  promise,  Samoset  was  sent  to 
ascertain  the  reason.  When  he  left,  the  people 
gave  him  a  hat,  stockings,  shoes,  shirt,  and  a  piece 
of  cloth  to  wear  round  his  body.  The  same  day, 
three  Indians  were  discovered  upon  a  hill  near  by, 
who  appeared  to  threaten  or  bid  defiance  to  the 
English.  Immediately,  Captain  Standish  and  three 
others  went  towards  them.  After  making  a  few 
menacing  gestures,  the  savages  fled.  The  next  day, 
Samoset  returned,  bringing  with  him  four  others, 
who  had  a  few  skins  and  dried  herrings,  which  they 
wished  to  exchange  for  other  articles.  It  is  some- 
what remarkable  that  one  of  these  Indians  belonged 
to  the  company  whom  Hunt  kidnapped  and  carried 
to  Spain.  There,  with  the  others,  being  liberated 
from  servitude  through  the  agency  of  the  monks  of 
Malaga,  he  made  his  way  to  England,  and  finally 


46  VISIT    OF    CEREMONY. 

got  back  to  his  own  country !  His  name  was 
Squanto.  He  was  the  only  native  left  of  those  who 
had  formerly  occupied  Patuxet,  the  place  where  the 
Pilgrims  had  fixed  their  settlement.  Having  been 
in  England,  he  had  obtained  a  smattering  of  the 
language,  and  could  converse,  though  with  difficulty, 
with  the  colonists.  This  party  of  four  seem  to 
have  been  a  kind  of  advanced  guard ;  for  in  the 
course  of  an  hour,  their  great  chief,  Massasoit, 
made  his  appearance  upon  the  top  of  a  hill,  accom- 
panied by  his  brother  Quadequina,  and  all  their 
warriors.  They  came  to  visit  the  English.  The 
two  parties  were  at  first  somewhat  shy  of  each 
other.  But  after  sending  messages  to  and  fro  by 
the  interpreters,  they  cautiously  came  to  a  parley. 
Each  party  kept  one  or  more  of  the  others  as  host- 
ages. After  mutual  salutations  between  Massasoit 
and  Captain  Standish,  the  chief  was  conducted  to 
an  unfinished  house,  where  were  placed  for  him  a 
green  rug  and  three  or  four  cushions.  Presently 
the  Puritan  governor  advanced,  in  as  great  state  as 
he  could  command,  with  a  drum  and  trumpet  sound- 
ing after  him,  and  a  few  men  with  muskets,  as  a 
kind  of  body-guard.  Salutations  being  over,  which 
consisted  of  mutual  kisses,  they  both  took  seats. 
"  The  governor  called  for  some  strong  water,  and 
drunk  to  him :  and  he  drunk  a  great  draught,  that, 
made  him  sweat  all  the  while  after."  Meat  was  also 


FIRST   TREATY.  47 

offered  to  the  chief  and  to  his  men,  which  was 
cheerfully  received. 

They  then  came  to  business.  A  treaty  of  friend- 
ship was  entered  into,  in  which  they  agreed  to 
avoid  mutual  injuries,  to  deliver  up  articles  belong- 
ing to  their  owners  which  might  be  carried  off  by 
the  men  of  either  party,  and  to  leave  behind  them 
till  weapons  when  they  visited  each  other.  It  was 
further  agreed,  that  if  any  nation  made  war  upon 
the  colonists,  Massasoit  should  assist  the  English, 
and  if  any  attacked  Massasoit  unjustly,  the  English 
would  aid  him ;  that  if  any  of  liis  people  should 
hurt  one  of  the  colonists,  he  should  send  him  to  the 
colony  for  punishment,  and  that  he  should  send  to 
those  tribes  with  whom  he  was  in  alliance  informa- 
tion of  this  treaty,  that  they  might  be  embraced  in 
it  also. 

This  was  the  first  act  of  diplomacy  executed  in 
New  England.  Its  negotiation  occupied  less  than  a 
day,  and  being  of  mutual  benefit  to  both  parties,  it 
was  strictly  observed  for  more  than  fifty  years.  It 
was  of  importance  to  Massasoit  to  secure  an  alliance 
with  the  English,  so  as  to  have  assistance  in  case  he 
should  be  attacked  by  the  powerful  tribe  of  Narra- 
gansetts,  who  were  his  enemies.  It  was  also  of 
great  moment  to  the  English  to  be  on  friendly  terms 
with  neighboring  Indians,  who  had  it  in  their  power 
to  annoy  them  in  various  ways. 


4f|  EEL    CATCHING. 

After  Massasoit  had  left,  his  brother  Quadequina 
came  to  the  colonists,  and  was  likewise  received 
with  marked  distinction.  lie  was  afraid  of  the 
English  guns,  and  at  his  desire  they  were  carried 
away.  He  wondered  greatly  at  the  trumpet,  and 
some  of  Ids  men  tried  their  skill  at  sounding  it. 

At  the  invitation  of  Massasoit,  Captain  Standislt 
and  Isaac  Alderton  visited  him  at  his  encampment. 
They  were  received  with  no  sumptuous  entertain- 
ment. All  that  he  gave  them  were  three  or  four 
ground  nuts,  and  a  little  tobacco.  By  the  request 
of  the  governor,  he  sent  to  the  colonists  Ids  kettle, 
which  they  filled  with  peas,  and  gave  him. 

One  fair  day,  Squanto  went  a  fishing  without 
pole,  line,  or  hook.  In  the  evening  he  returned 
with  as  many  large,  fat,  "  sweet  "  eels  as  he  could 
lift  with  one  hand.  His  method  of  catcldng  them 
was  to  wade  in  the  water,  ascertain  their  beds  with 
his  feet,  and,  as  they  were  in  a  torpid  state  in  con- 
sequence of  the  cold,  pick  them  up  with  his  hand. 
He  is  supposed  to  have  gone  to  a  place  which  is 
now  called  Eel  River,  where  large  numbers  are  still 
caught  every  winter. 

Such  was  the  integrity  of  the  Puritans,  and  their 
nmform  obedience  to  the  few  laws  winch  they  had 
established,  that  no  offence  was  committed  among 
them  till  the  latter  part  of  March,  when  one  John 
Uillington  was  convicted  of  "  contempt  of  the  cap- 


FIRST    OFFENCE.  49 

tain's  lawful  command  and  opprobrious  speeches." 
The  sentence  which  he  received  was  peculiar.  It 
was,  that  "  he  have  his  neck  and  heels  tied  together." 
The  sentence,  however,  was  not  carried  into  execu- 
tion. He  humbled  himself  before  the  people,  and 
asked  for  pardon.  As  this  was  his  first  offence,  he 
was  forgiven.  Mercy,  however,  did  not  reform 
him.  He  continued  to  be  a  bad  fellow.  He  was  a 
profane,  ungovernable,  vicious  knave,  and  finally 
came  to  a  bad  end.  His  eldest  son,  John,  was  of  the 
same  spirit  with  the  father,  and  gave  the  colonists 
much  trouble.  On  one  occasion,  he  came  near 
blowing  up  the  Mayflower,  by  exploding  squibs,  and 
firing  off  a  fowling-piece,  when  powder  was  strewed 
upon  the  floor,  and  a  small  cask  of  it  was  only 
about  a  yard  from  him.  At  another  time,  he  wan- 
dered away  from  the  colony,  creating  great  anxiety, 
and  subjecting  them  to  the  trouble  of  sending  an 
expedition  to  find  him.  Billington  senior  was  not  a 
member  of  the  church  at  Leyden.  He  came  from 
London,  and  was  in  some  way  smuggled  on  board 
the  Mayflower,  without  having  any  sympathy  with 
the  religious  feeling  of  the  Puritans. 

The  second  offence  committed  was  a  duel  be- 
tween two  servants  of  Mr.  Hopkins.  It  was  fought 
with  sword  and  dagger.  Both  combatants  were 
wounded.  They  were  convicted,  and  sentenced  "to 
have  their  head  and  feet  tied  together,  and  so  to  lie 
5 


50  FIRST   DUEL. 

for  twenty-four  hours  without  meat  or  drink."  The 
cords  were  brought,  their  head  and  feet  were 
tied  according  to  sentence  ;  but  after  lying  about  an 
hour,  their  sufferings  were  so  severe  that  they  began 
to  beg  for  mercy.  Their  entreaties  being  seconded 
by  their  master,  the  governor,  upon  the  promise  of 
good  conduct  in  future,  released  them.  The  prompt- 
ness with  which  these  three  criminals  were  tried, 
convicted,  and  sentenced,  and  the  forgiveness  which 
they  received,  evinced  the  decision  and  the  kind- 
ness of  this  early  colonial  government. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

"  Acquaintance  I  would  have,  but  when  't  depends 
Not  on  the  number,  but  the  choice,  of  friends."  —  COWLBT. 

"  True  happiness 

Consists  not  in  the  multitude  of  friends, 
But  in  the  worth  and  choice  :  nor  would  I  have 
Virtue  a  popular  regard  pursue : 
Let  them  be  good  that  love  me,  though  but  few."  —  JONSOW. 

Plymouth  in  Summer.  —  Annoyance  of  Indian  Loungers.  —  Visit 
to  Massasott. —  Delivery  of  Presents.  —  The  Message.  —  The 
Copper  Chain.  —  Hard  Lodging.  —  Subordinate  Sachems. — 
Sports. —  Shooting  Fish. —  Return  of  the  Messengers.  —  Storm 
at  Night.  —  Effect  of  the  Visit.  —  Boy  missing.  —  A  Party  sent 
after  him.  —  Their  Adventures.  —  Get  News  of  the  Boy.  —  ly- 
anough.  —  An  old  Squaw.  —  Her  violent  Passion.  —  Reason  of 
it.  —  How  she  is  pacified. —  Indian  Officiousness.  — The  Owner 
of  the  buried  Coru  found.  —  The  lost  Boy  restored.  —  Natives 
rewarded.  —  Rumors  of  War.  —  Danger  of  the  Colony.  —  Par- 
ty suffer  for  Water.  —  Dance  of  the  Squaws.  —  The  Return. 

WHEN  the  winter  had  passed  away,  and  Nature 
had  arrayed  herself  in  her  summer  drapery,  the  col- 
onists found  that  they  had  selected  a  pleasant  spot 
for  their  settlement.  The  disappearance  of  ice  and 
snow,  the  rich  green  of  the  hills  and  fields,  varie- 
gated with  numerous  flowers,  the  forests  covered 
with  dense  foliage,  and  the  melody  of  birds  in  the 
groves,  made  Plymouth  appear  like  a  different 
country  from  that  which  they  saw  upon  their  first 


02  ANNOYANCE    FROM    VISITORS. 

arrival.  As  the  warm  weather  brought  the  Indians 
to  the  sea-shore  for  lobsters  and  fish,  they  were  a 
great  annoyance  to  the  colony.  The  Pilgrims  uni- 
formly treated  them  with  hospitality.  This  kind- 
ness furnished  a  motive  for  frequent  visits,  as  the 
Indians  would  always  go  where  they  could  get 
something  to  eat.  The  consequence  was,  that 
sometimes  men,  women,  and  children,  in  consid- 
erable numbers,  were  hanging  around  the  village. 
Instead  of  turning  them  away,  it  was  deemed  best 
to  send  messengers  to  their  great  sagamore,  Mas- 
sasoit,  state  to  him  the  grievance,  and  request  him 
to  issue  orders  prohibiting  the  annoyance.  Another 
object  which  the  colonists  had  in  view  in  this  em- 
bassage  was,  to  compensate  the  Indians  for  the  com 
which  they  found  upon  Cape  Cod  on  their  first 
arrival.  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Edward  Winslow 
received  the  appointment  of  ambassadors.  Squanto, 
the  Indian  who  had  been  kidnapped  by  Hunt,  was 
to  accompany  them  as  interpreter.  To  secure  a 
favorable  reception  for  themselves  and  their  mes- 
sage, they  carried,  as  a  present  to  the  sagamore,  a 
horseman's  coat  of  red  cotton,  ornamented  with 
lace,  and  a  copper  chain.  When  they  arrived  at 
Pokanoket,  the  residence  of  Massasoit,  the  saga- 
more was  not  at  home.  He  was  sent  for,  and  soon 
made  his  appearance.  The  ambassadors  saluted 
him  by  a  discharge  of  their  pieces,  and  were  then 


EMBASSY   TO    MASSASOIT.  53 

welcomed  in  true  Indian  style  by  the  chief.  The 
first  thing  done  after  they  had  taken  their  seats  was 
the  delivery  of  the  presents.  When  the  chief  was 
arrayed  in  the  red  coat,  with  the  copper  chain 
dangling  from  his  neck,  he  and  his  men  were  highly 
gratified  with  his  grand  appearance.  In  the  mes- 
sage which  the  ambassadors  delivered,  they  informed 
the  chief  that  his  people  had  always  been  kindly 
received  by  the  colonists,  though  they  came  very 
often  and  very  many  at  a  time  ;  but  as  it  was 
uncertain  whether  the  corn  which  the  English  had 
planted  Avould  be  productive,  and  as  they  had  not 
much  other  food,  they  would  be  unable  to  extend  to 
them  the  same  hospitality  in  future  which  they  had 
done,  and  wliich  they  would  still  be  glad  to  do  if  it 
were  in  their  power.  They  requested  the  chief, 
therefore,  to  interfere,  and  suffer  none  of  his  people 
to  visit  the  colonists  except  those  who  had  skins  to 
trade.  If,  however,  he  desired  to  come  himself,  or 
had  some  particular  friend  who  wished  to  see  them, 
they  would  be  pleased  to  receive  him  in  the  same 
manner  as  heretofore.  That  they  might  not  be 
imposed  by  deceivers,  the  ambassadors  requested  the 
sagamore,  whenever  he  should  send  any  messenger 
to  the  colony,  to  give  him  the  copper  chain  which 
had  just  been  presented  to  him,  and  they  would 
regard  that  as  the  credentials  of  liis  appointment, 
and  would  give  credit  to  his  message.  They  also 
5* 


54  AN   UNCOMFORTABLE    NIGHT. 

related  to  Massasoit  their  discovery  of  the  corn  on 
the  cape,  and  that  they  carried  it  away  for  their 
own  use,  with  the  intention,  if  the  owners  were  ever 
found,  of  giving  them  ample  compensation.  They 
requested  of  him  some  seed  corn  to  plant,  so  as  to 
see  which  was  best  adapted  to  the  soil  of  Plymouth. 
After  the  message  was  delivered  through  the 
interpreter,  Squanto,  Massasoit  replied,  and  con- 
sented to  comply  with  their  several  requests.  Busi- 
ness being  over,  the  Indians  lighted  tobacco,  gave  it 
to  the  ambassadors  to  smoke,  and  entered  into  con- 
versation respecting  England  and  the  king.  So 
poor  was  the  brave  sagamore,  that  when  the  even- 
ing arrived,  he  had  notliing  to  offer  his  distin- 
guished guests  for  supper.  In  one  part  of  the 
wigwam  was  a  hard  and  rude  looking  bed  made  of 
plank,  raised  a  few  inches  from  the  ground,  and 
covered  with  a  coarse,  thin  mat.  When  the  visitors 
expressed  a  wish  to  sleep,  one  end  of  this  plank 
platform  was  assigned  them  as  their  bed,  whilst  the 
chief,  with  his  wife,  slept  at  the  other  end.  In 
addition  to  these  four,  two  other  Indians  had  to  be 
accommodated,  who,  during  the  night,  pressed  so 
heavily  upon  the  Englishmen,  that  their  night's 
lodging  was  more  wearisome  than  their  days'  jour- 
ney. The  visit  of  these  strangers  soon  being  ru- 
mored abroad,  there  came  the  next  day  many 
sachems,  or  subordinate  chiefs,  to  see  them.  For 


RETURN    OF    THE    AMBASSADORS.  55 

their  entertainment,  the  savages  performed  a  num- 
ber of  their  games,  but  were  unwilling  to  shoot  at 
a  mark  with  the  strangers  for  skins.  About  one 
o'clock,  Massasoit,  who  had  been  fishing,  returned, 
bringing  with  him  two  large  fish,  which  he  had  shot. 
These  were  boiled,  and  portions  of  them  were 
offered  to  the  messengers.  This  was  the  first  meal 
they  had  had  for  a  day  and  two  nights.  The  next 
day,  very  early  in  the  morning,  they  left  their  poor, 
but  friendly  neighbors  for  home.  They  were  heart- 
ily sick  of  Indian  entertainment.  The  chief  was 
sorry  and  ashamed  that  he  could  receive  them  in  no 
better  style.  Friendship  was  in  his  heart,  but 
abundance  was  not  in  his  cabin.  He  did  the  best 
he  could.  On  their  return,  the  ambassadors  were 
not  only  faint  and  hungry,  but,  to  add  to  their  trials, 
they  were  overtaken  at  night  by  a  severe  storm, 
accompanied  with  thunder  and  lightning.  So  vio- 
lent were  the  wind  and  rain,  that  they  found  it 
impossible  to  keep  their  fire  burning.  The  storm 
continued  through  the  whole  day ;  but  they  waded 
on  with  what  little  strength  was  left,  until,  after  an 
absence  of  five  days,  they  again  reached  Plymouth. 
The  tendency  of  this  visit  was  to  strengthen  the 
bonds  of  friendship  existing  between  the  Indians 
and  the  colonists. 

It  was  probably  a  few  days   after  this,  that  one 
of  the  boys  belonging  to  the  colony  was  missing. 


56  A   BOY   LOST. 

Where  he  had  gone,  no  one  knew.  His  absence 
created  great  anxiety  in  the  little  community.  Was 
he  drowned  1  Had  he  been  kidnapped  by  the 
Indians  and  carried  into  captivity  1  or  had  he  wan- 
dered away  and  got  lost  1  Various  conjectures 
were  indulged.  A  party  of  ten  men  were  raised  to 
go  in  search  of  him.  They  went  in  the  shallop. 
They  had  not  sailed  far,  before  a  heavy  squall  of 
wind,  with  lightning  and  rain,  came  down  upon  them 
with  great  force.  A  water  spout  was  formed  a 
short  distance  from  them.  They  were  in  danger. 
Fortunately,  it  was  of  short  duration.  They  passed 
the  night  in  Cummaquid,  now  known  as  Barnstable 
Harbor.  In  the  morning,  seeing  a  couple  of  sav- 
ages, they  hailed  them,  and  through  their  two 
interpreters,  Squanto  and  another  named  Tokama- 
hamon,  made  known  who  they  were,  and  whom 
they  were  after.  Very  providentially,  these  Indians 
afforded  great  relief  to  the  party,  by  the  information 
that  the  lost  boy  was  well,  and  might  be  found  al 
Nauset,  now  called  Eastham.  At  the  invitation  of 
the  natives,  six  of  the  party  went  ashore,  leaving, 
as  hostages  for  their  good  treatment,  four  Indians  in 
the  shallop.  They  were  introduced  to  their  chief, 
lyanough,  a  young  man,  not  thirty  years  of  age,  of 
good  personal  appearance,  courteous  in  his  manners, 
and  unlike  an  Indian,  except  in  his  costume.  His 
entertainment  was  in  harmony  with  his  good  ap- 
pearance, being  abundant  and  various. 


INDIAN   EMOTION.  67 

At  this  place  was  a  squaw,  whom  the  colonists 
judged  to  be  at  least  a  hundred  years  old.  As  she 
had  never  seen  an  Englishman,  she  visited  the  party 
as  a  matter  of  curiosity ;  but  when  she  saw  them, 
she  became  greatly  excited,  giving  indulgence  to 
violent  passion,  and  weeping  excessively.  The  men 
were  astonished.  They  knew  not  what  it  meant. 
They  knew  that  they  had  done  nothing  to  furnish 
occasion  for  such  a.  development  of  strong  feeling, 
and  were  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it.  They 
asked  the  woman  why  she  cried.  She  answered, 
that  when  Captain  Hunt  was  here,  she  had  three 
sons,  who  went  on  board  of  his  vessel  to  trade,  and 
that  he  carried  them  away  captives  to  Spain,  so  that 
now  she  was  cruelly  deprived  of  their  assistance 
and  support  in  her  old  age.  The  Pilgrims  sympa- 
thized with  her  in  her  distress,  expressed  great 
abhorrence  of  the  conduct  of  Hunt,  and  told  her 
that  he  was  a  bad  man,  and  that  all  the  English 
who  had  heard  of  his  conduct  in  that  affair  strongly 
condemned  it.  As  for  themselves,  they  would  not 
be  guilty  of  similar  conduct  for  all  the  skins  in  the 
land.  To  convince  her  of  their  sincerity,  they  gave 
her  some  presents,  which  served  to  allay  her  excited 
feelings.  It  will  be  remembered,  that  Squanto,  one 
of  the  interpreters  on  this  occasion,  was  also  one  of 
the  number  whom  Hunt  so  nefariously  kidnapped. 

Having    obtained   track   of  the    lost    boy,   they 


58  LOST    BOY   FOUND. 

hastened  towards  Eastham.  Squanto  was  sent  in 
advance  to  inform  the  chief  of  their  approach  and 
their  errand.  When  they  arrived  at  Eastham,  they 
were  greatly  annoyed  by  the  officiousness  of  the 
Indians,  who  surrounded  the  boat  in  great  numbers, 
offering  their  help  to  get  it  in,  as  the  water  was  low. 
The  party  were  doubtful  of  their  good  intentions,  as 
this  was  the  place,  and  these  the  men,  who  made  an 
attack  upon  them  when  they  were  examining  the 
coast  to  find  a  desirable  place  for  settlement.  The 
boat  soon  got  aground,  and  then  the  savages  sur- 
rounded it  in  greater  numbers  than  before.  Among 
the  Indians  who  were  present  on  this  occasion,  was 
one  to  whom  some  of  the  corn  belonged  which  the 
Pilgrims  had  found  and  carried  away.  They  in- 
formed him  that  it  had  always  been  their  intention 
to  make  restitution  for  it  so  soon  as  they  found  the 
owner,  and  that  if  he  would  visit  the  settlement  at 
Plymouth,  they  would  pay  him  for  all  they  had 
taken. 

Towards  evening,  their  chief,  Aspinet,  came, 
accompanied  by  a  large  number  of  Indians,  and 
what  was  more  pleasing  to  the  English,  he  brought 
with  him  the  lost  boy.  Half  of  the  Indians  came 
up  to  the  boat  unarmed ;  the  other  half  kept  at  a 
distance,  with  their  bows  and  arrows  ready,  in  case 
any  occasion  should  occur  for  their  use.  One  of 
the  savages  brought  the  boy  through  the  water  to 


THE:  LOST  BOY'S  ADVENTURES.  59 

the  boat,  and  there  he  was  delivered  by  the  chief 
into  the  hands  of  the  Puritans.  It  seems  that  for 
five  days  the  boy  had  wandered  over  the  hills  and 
through  the  woods,  living  upon  what  few  berries 
and  fruits  he  could  find.  By  that  time,  he  reached 
an  Indian  settlement  at  Manomet,  the  present  loca- 
tion of  Sandwich.  By  the  people  there  he  was  sent 
to  the  Nausets,  where  he  was  now  found.  When 
he  was  delivered  to  the  colonists  by  Aspinet,  the 
boy  was  decked  in  Indian  tawdry  style,  having 
many  beads  hanging  about  him.  Whether  this  was 
done  in  order  to  amuse  the  boy,  or  to  please  the 
English,  we  know  not ;  probably  the  latter.  The 
party  rewarded  the  chief  with  a  knife,  which,  no 
doubt,  he  highly  prized,  as  their  own  knives  were 
either  stone  or  shell.  They  also  gave  a  present  to 
the  Indian  of  Manomet,  who  first  received  the  boy, 
and  who  had  gone  to  the  trouble  of  bringing  him  to 
Nauset.  This  boy  was  John  Billington  ;  a  vicious 
lad,  and  a  great  plague  to  the  colony. 

Whilst  the  men  were  at  Eastham,  a  rumor 
reached  them  that  war  had  broken  out  between 
Massasoit  and  the  Narragansetts,  in  consequence  of 
an  attack  of  the  latter  upon  some  of  the  men  be- 
longing to  the  former.  They  were  alarmed.  Being 
in  league  with  Massasoit,  they  were  bound  to  render 
liim  assistance,  in  case  he  had  been  attacked  un- 
justly. Besides,  they  were  apprehensive  for  the 


60  RUMORS    OF    WAR. 

welfare  of  the  colony,  as  the  number  of  men  there 
had  been  greatly  reduced.  Dr.  Young,  in  his 
"  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,"  says,  that  at 
the  same  time  that  these  ten  were  on  their  excursion 
to  Aspinet,  "  Winslow  and  Hopkins  were  absent  on 
their  expedition  to  Pokanoket,  leaving  only  seven 
men  at  the  plantation,  the  whole  number  surviving 
at  this  time  being  nineteen."  If  this  were  so,  the 
settlement  would  have  been  in  great  danger  in  case 
it  had  been  attacked  by  the  enemies  of  Massasoit. 


and  the  Chain. 


CHAPTER    V. 

"  Tlie  flying  rumors  gathered  as  they  rolled  ; 
Scarce  nny  talc  was  sooner  lieanl  than  told ; 
And  all  who  told  it  added  something  new, 
And  all  who  heard  it  made  enlargement  too  ; 
In  every  ear  it  spread,  on  every  tongue  it  grew." —  POPE 

.Startling  Rumors.  —  Squanto  reconnoitres.  —  Is  taken.  —  Designs 
against  him.  —  Supposed  Murder.  —  A  Party  sent  to  Middle- 
borough. —  Midnight  Attack.  —  Frightened  Indians.  —  Squanto 
found.  —  Treatment  of  the  Wounded. — Voyage  to  Massachu- 
setts.—  Origin  of  the  Name.  —  Conduct  of  the  Squaws. — The 
First  Summer  in  Plymouth.  —  Preparations  for  Winter.  —  Colo- 
ny alarmed. —  Prepare  to  resist  Invaders.  —  Pleasant  Disap- 
pointment. —  Arrival  of  the  Fortune.  —  She  brings  no  Stores. 
— The  Consequence.  —  The  Fortune  returns.  —  Her  Cargo  and 
Capture. 

THE  common  proverb,  that  a  story  loses  nothing 
by  repetition,  received  confirmation  in  the  present 
instance.  By  the  time  that  the  floating  rumors 
reached  the  colony,  whatever  was  their  origin,  they 
embraced  the  startling  intelligence  that  the  Narra- 
pansetts  had  invaded  the  domains  of  Massasoit ;  that 
Massasoit  was  either  a  prisoner,  or  had  fled  ;  that 
their  interpreter,  Squanto,  had  been  cruelly  mur- 
dered, and  that  some  of  Massasoit's  men  had  re- 
volted from  their  chief,  and  were  striving  to  form  a 
party  in  opposition  to  the  English,  and  in  violation 
of  the  league  of  friendship.  Squanto  had  gone  on 
a  reconnoitring  expedition,  to  obtain  tidings,  if  pos- 
6 


62  SQUANTO    A    PRISONER. 

sible,  of  Massasoit.  Whilst  lodging  at  Namasket, 
now  called  Middleborough,  he  was  discovered  by 
Corbitant,  one  of  Massasoit's  disaffected  men.  This 
fellow  had  expressed  violent  opposition  to  the  alli- 
ance with  the  English,  had  given  free  use  to  con- 
temptuous language  against  them,  and  had  labored 
to  poison  the  minds  of  others  with  similar  senti- 
ments. He  was  particularly  bitter  against  Squanto, 
as  he  had  rendered  important  service  to  the  English 
in  all  their  negotiations.  "If  Squanto  were  dead," 
said  he,  "  the  English  would  lose  their  tongue.'5 
He,  therefore,  with  some  of  his  evil  disposed  follow- 
ers, came  upon  Squanto,  surrounded  the  house 
in  which  he  lodged,  and  took  him  prisoner.  Squan- 
to was  accompanied  on  this  excursion  by  another 
Indian,  named  Hobbamock.  When  Hobbamock 
saw  that  his  friend  was  taken,  and  that  Corbitant 
held  a  knife  at  his  breast,  as  if  to  take  his  life,  he 
made  a  violent  effort,  broke  away  from  the  enemy, 
and  fled  to  Plymouth,  with  the  news  that  Squanto 
was  slain.  Immediately  the  colony  was  in  great 
commotion.  Although  they  desired  to  live  in  peace 
with  the  Indians,  they  knew  that  it  was  not  wise 
policy  to  allow  offences  of  this  kind  to  pass  with 
impunity.  Justice  to  themselves,  to  Squanto,  and 
to  Massasoit,  demanded  an  immediate  examination 
of  the  state  of  things,  and  a  defence  of  their  rights. 
Deliberations  were  held,  and  the  conclusion  reached, 


PLAN    OF    OPERATIONS.  63 

was,  that,  on  the  next  day,  a  party  of  ten  or  twelve 
men  should  proceed  to  Middleborough,  revenge  the 
death  of  Squanto,  take  the  sachem  of  the  tribe 
prisoner,  and  retain  him  until  they  obtained  tidings 
of  their  friend  Massasoit.  Accordingly,  on  the  next 
day  they  departed,  under  the  command  of  their 
champion,  Captain  Standish.  The  weather  was 
rainy.  They  lost  their  way,  through  the  mistake  of 
Hobbamock,  their  guide,  and  the  darkness  of  the 
night  ;  but  with  the  assistance  of  one  of  the  others, 
who,  fortunately,  had  been  that  way  before,  they 
found  it  again.  Their  plan  was  to  come  upon  the 
house  at  midnight,  surround  it,  and  seize  Corbitant 
before  he  could  have  time  to  escape.  In  the  attack, 
they  were  to  injure  none  except  those  who  should 
attempt  to  flee.  The  plan  being  arranged,  they 
made  a  supper  in  the  dark  of  the  contents  of  their 
knapsacks,  and  then  threw  them  aside,  to  be  free 
from  their  encumbrance.  Each  man  having  received 
liis  specific  appointment,  they  passed  cautiously 
and  silently  on,  casting  furtive  glances  in  the  deep 
gloom  in  every  direction  to  avoid  discovery.  Pres- 
ently they  reach  the  house.  Every  man  takes  the 
place  assigned  him,  and  waits  with  a  throbbing 
heart  for  the  moment  of  attack.  Those  appointed 
to  the  service  enter  the  house,  and  demand  if  Cor- 
bitant is  there.  The  savages,  aroused  from  their 
slumbers  in  the  dead  of  night  by  a  hostile  party 


64  MIDNIGHT    ATTACK. 

effecting  an  entrance  into  their  cabin,  are  so 
thorougly  alarmed  as  to  be  deprived  of  the  power 
of  speech.  They  are  commanded  not  to  stir  at 
their  peril.  The  whole  family  are  aroused.  Great 
excitement  prevails.  The  guns  of  the  invaders  are 
fired  at  random.  The  whole  town  is  in  commotion. 
Some  attempt  to  escape  from  the  house  through  a 
private  door,  and  are  wounded.  The  women  cling 
to  Hobbamock,  calling  him  "  Friend,  friend  !  "  The 
boys,  noticing  that  no  injury  is  attempted  against 
the  women,  cry  out,  "  I  am  a  girl,  I  am  a  girl." 
The  invaders,  in  the  mean  time,  endeavor  to  explain 
the  object  of  their  attack.  They  tell  the  people 
that  they  have  come  to  revenge  the  death  of  their 
friend,  Squanto,  and  want  no  one  but  Corbitant,  his 
murderer.  If  he  is  not  there,  none  shall  be  injured. 
After  the  fears  of  the  Indians  were  allayed,  and 
they  had  recovered  their  senses  sufficiently  to  under- 
stand the  explanation  of  this  unexpected,  nocturnal 
visit,  they  informed  the  invaders  that  Corbitant  was 
not  in  the  village,  but  that  Squanto,  whom  they  sup- 
posed he  had  murdered,  was.  Although  the  visitors 
were  sorry  to  lose  the  former,  they  were  greatly 
delighted  to  find  the  latter.  In  order  to  obtain  full 
confirmation  of  this  intelligence,  they  made  the 
savages  get  up,  strike  a  fire,  and  furnish  a  light, 
with  which  to  search  the  house  thoroughly.  At  the 
same  time,  Hobbamock  ascended  to  the  top  of  the 


ORIGIN    OF    "MASSACHUSETTS."  65 

house,  and  there  called  aloud  for  Squanto  and  Tok- 
amahamon.  In  a  few  moments,  they  made  their 
appearance,  accompanied  with  others,  some  of  whom 
were  armed. 

In  the  morning,  the  party  visited  Squanto  at  his 
own  house,  and  breakfasted  with  him.  They  in- 
formed the  Indians  more  fully  of  their  determination 
to  pursue  Corbitant,  and  to  contend  with  all  others 
who  should  plot  evil  against  the  colony,  or  against 
Massasoit.  They  expressed  regret  that  any  of  them 
had  been  wounded  in  the  night's  attack,  but  prom- 
ised that  if  such  would  return  with  them  to  Plym- 
outh, the  physician  would  heal  them.  Two  of 
the  wounded,  a  man  and  woman,  accepted  their 
invitation. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  the  colonists 
made  their  first  voyage  to  Massachusetts,  a  word 
which  signifies  an  arrow-shaped  hill.  This  name  is 
supposed  to  have  been  given  to  the  surrounding 
country  from  the  Blue  Hills  in  Milton,  which  were 
formerly  called  Massachusetts  Mount.  They  had 
interviews  with  the  chief  of  a  tribe  in  alliance  with 
Massasoit,  by  whom  they  were  treated  with  great 
kindness,  and  with  some  Indians  of  a  hostile  tribe, 
who,  at  first,  were  greatly  alarmed ;  but  as  they 
discovered  no  evil  intentions  on  the  part  of  the  vis- 
itors, they  gathered  courage  to  trade  with  them. 
Some  of  their  squaws  were  so  anxious  to  obtain  the 
6* 


66  THE    COLONY    ALARMED. 

trinkets  of  the  English,  that  they  took  off  the  gar- 
ments which  they  wore,  and  sold  them ;  and,  as  a 
substitute,  tied  leaves  and  branches  about  their  per- 
sons. The  party  returned  on  the  22d,  having  been 
absent  since  the  18th. 

During  this  first  summer  of  their  settlement,  the 
Pilgrims  were  comfortably  provided  for.  The 
weather  was  mild ;  their  corn  was  productive ;  fish 
were  obtained  in  considerable  quantities  ;  and  later 
in  the  season,  wild  turkeys  and  venison  were  pro- 
cured. As  the  cold  weather  advanced,  they  repaired 
their  houses,  so  as  to  be  the  better  able  to  endure 
the  severity  of  the  approaching  winter.  When  it 
commenced,  they  were  in  health,  and  had  "  all 
tilings  in  plenty." 

November  9,  1621,  the  colony  was  thrown  into  a 
state  of  great  alarm,  by  intelligence  received  from 
an  Indian  that  a  vessel  was  seen  approaching  Cape 
Cod,  which  he  believed  to  be  French.  As  the  Eng- 
lish were  not  expecting  the  arrival  of  friends  at  that 
time,  they  also  feared  that  the  rumored  vessel  might 
be  an  enemy.  When  she  came  in  sight,  and  made 
directly  towards  Plymouth  harbor,  their  fears  were 
strengthened.  Agitation  prevailed.  No  time  was 
to  be  lost  in  getting  prepared  to  give  the  intruder  a 
warm  reception.  The  governor  gave  command  to 
fire  a  cannon,  as  a  signal  to  those  who  were  absent 
to  hasten  home.  Immediately  every  male  person  in 


ARRIVAL    OF    THE   FORTUNE.  67 

the  colony  who  could  shoulder  a  musket  was  on 
hand,  armed  and  equipped  with  weapons  and  cour- 
age to  repel  the  assailants,  in  case  of  an  attack. 
We  can  imagine  the  painful  suspense  wliich  they 
experienced  as  the  vessel  gradually  approached. 
How  intently  they  observed  her  !  How  carefully 
they  studied  her  architecture,  and  the  manner  in 
which  she  was  rigged  !  How  they  strained  their  eyes 
to  make  out  her  flag,  the  symbol  of  her  nationality, 
that  they  might  know  with  certainty  what  to  expect, 
and  what  to  do  !  Their  suspense  was  not  of  long 
duration.  As  the  vessel  neared  the  harbor,  they 
recognized  her  as  a  friend.  It  was  the  Fortune, 
bringing  an  accession  of  thirty-five  persons  from 
England  to  the  colony.  Fearful  apprehension  now 
gave  place  to  great  joy.  There  were  warm  greet- 
ings, rapid  inquiries,  brief  answers.  Painful  and 
pleasurable  intelligence  was  communicated  in  rapid 
succession,  causing  smiles  and  tears  to  alternate 
upon  their  features,  like  sunlight  and  shadow  chasing 
each  other  over  the  fields. 

Among  those  whom  the  Fortune  brought  over 
were  Robert  Cushman,  and,  in  all  probability,  some 
of  the  others,  of  whom  there  were  twenty,  who 
were  left  behind  with  him  when  the  Speedwell  was 
abandoned. 

As  the  friends  in  England  had  received  from  the 
colonists  glowing  accounts  of  the  abundance  cf  food 


68  THE    FORTUNE    CAPTURED. 

which  they  found  in  the  New  World,  this  second 
company  had  deemed  it  unnecessary  to  bring  with 
them  any  stores  to  be  used  after  their  arrival.  This 
proved  to  be  exceedingly  unfortunate.  Indeed,  the 
vessel  itself  was  furnished  with  supplies  only  to 
reach  New  England,  so  that  the  colonists  were  not 
only  obliged  out  of  their  limited  means  to  support 
the  new  immigrants,  but  also  to  furnish  the  vessel 
with  stores  for  her  return  voyage.  The  conse- 
quence of  this  combination  of  unpropitious  circum- 
stances was,  that  soon  after  the  departure  of  the 
Fortune,  the  colonists  were  all  put  upon  half  allow- 
ance of  food,  which,  however,  they  endured  with 
great  patience. 

The  Fortune  left  Plymouth,  on  her  return,  De- 
cember 13,  1621.  She  carried,  as  specimens  of  the 
productions  of  the  country  and  of  the  industry  of 
the  colony,  two  hogsheads  of  peltries,  consisting  of 
beaver  and  otter  skins,  and  a  variety  of  lumber, 
the  value  of  the  whole  being  about  $1500.  As  she 
approached  the  coast  of  England,  'she  was  discov- 
ered by  a  French  vessel,  pursued,  overtaken,  seized, 
and  carried  into  France,  where  she  was  robbed  of 
all  that  was  valuable.  After  being  detained  there  a 
fortnight,  she  and  her  crew  were  released. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

"  Treachery  oft  lurks 

In  compliments.    You  have  sent  so  many  posts 
Of  undertakings,  they  outride  performance  ; 
And  make  me  think  your  fair  pretences  aim 
At  some  intended  ill,  which  my  prevention 
Must  strive  to  avert." 
> 

Singular  Visitor.  —  Mysterious  Package  for  Squanto. — The  Vis- 
itor made  a  Captive. —His  Disclosures.  —  He  is  released  and 
sent  Home  with  a  bold  Message.  —  Squanto  explains  the  Pack- 
age.—  A  Package  of  Powder  and  Balls  sent  in  Reply  to  it. — 
It  is  regarded  with  Terror.  —  Is  finally  sent  back  unopened.— 
Defensive  Preparations. — First  General  Muster.  —  An  Indian's 
Advice.  —  Another  Expedition.  —  Signal  for  Return.  —  Why 
called  back.  —  Hobbamock  denies  Indian  Rumors.  —  Squanto 
falls  under  Suspicion.  —  His  deceitful  Conduct.  —  The  buried 
Plague.  —  Massasoit  demands  Squanto's  Death.  —  The  Messen- 
gers ready  to  kill  him.  —  His  unexpected  Deliverance.  —  The 
Messengers  offended.  —  More  Immigrants.  —  Winslow  sent  to 
Maine  for  Food.  —  Massacre  in  Virginia.  —  Fort  built.  —  Used 
as  a  Church.  —  Puritan  Character. 

A  SHORT  time  subsequent  to  the  departure  of  the 
Fortune,  an  Indian  from  the  Narragansett  tribe  vis- 
ited the  colony,  as  a  messenger  from  Canonicus, 
their  renowned  chief.  He  inquired  for  Squanto, 
but  seemed  pleased  when  informed  of  his  absence. 
Leaving  for  him  a  package  of  singular  character, 
he  was  about  to  return  immediately,  but  was  pre- 
vented. This  package  consisted  of  a  bundle  of  new 
arrows,  wrapped  in  the  skin  of  a  rattlesnake.  The 


70  A    SINGULAR    PACKAGE. 

governor  having  heard  that  the  Narragansetts  had 
threatened  to  make  war  upon  the  English,  and 
being  suspicious  that  arrows  and  rattlesnakes  ar- 
gued nothing  friendly,  that  they  could  not  be  sym- 
bolical of  the  same  sentiment  as  the  olive  branch, 
£ave  orders  to  Captain  Standish  to  take  the  mes- 
senger prisoner,  and  detain  him.  At  first,  the  poor 
fellow  was  frightened  ;  but  as  his  sentinels  treated 
him  with  kindness,  he  gathered  courage,  and  be- 
came communicative.  In  answer  to  inquiries,  he 
informed  the  colonists  that  a  messenger  who  had 
been  sent  to  negotiate  with  them  respecting  a  treaty 
of  peace,  the  preceding  summer,  when  he  returned, 
had  used  his  influence  to  persuade  Canonicus  to  go 
to  war.  He  also  detained  some  of  the  presents 
which  they  had  sent  by  him  to  his  chief,  and  which, 
if  they  had  been  delivered  to  Canonicus,  would 
have  convinced  him  of  their  friendly  designs,  and 
prevented  all  belligerent  threats.  He  said  that 
when  he  should  return  and  relate  to  Canonicus  the 
real  feelings  of  the  English,  he  would  enter  into 
peace  with  them.  The  governor  ordered  him  to 
inform  his  master  that  they  had  heard  the  many 
threats  which  he  had  uttered  against  them,  and  were 
offended ;  that  although  they  were  desirous  of  living 
on  terms  of  peace  with  him,  yet  if  he  made  any 
warlike  demonstrations,  he  would  find  them  pre- 
pared to  meet  him.  Having  concluded  to  release 


ITS    INTERPRETATION.  71 

him,  they  offered  him  some  food,  which  he  declined 
receiving.  He  expressed  much  thankfulness  for  his 
deliverance.  So  great  was  his  anxiety  to  return, 
that  no  persuasion,  nor  no  violence  of  the  weather, 
could  induce  him  to  tarry  after  his  release.  He  set 
out  for  home  in  a  driving  storm. 

When  Squanto  returned,  and  the  package  of 
arrows  and  snake-skin  was  placed  in  his  hands,  he 
said  it  expressed  enmity,  and  was  equivalent  to  a 
challenge.  The  question  then  arose,  What  shall  we 
do  ?  How  shall  we  reply  to  it  1  After  deliberation 
upon  the  subject,  the  governor  filled  the  skin  with 
powder  and  shot,  and  sent  it  back  to  Canonicus, 
with  the  message,  that  if  the  English  were  supplied 
with  ships,  they  would  save  the  Narragansetts  the 
trouble  of  coming  so  far,  by  sailing  to  them  and 
meeting  them  in  their  own  dominions  ;  still,  if  they 
should  come  to  the  colony,  they  would  always  find 
the  people  ready  to  receive  them.  When  this  mes- 
sage was  delivered  to  Canonicus,  it  impressed  him 
with  the  courage  of  the  English.  He  saw  that 
threats  did  not  terrify  them.  As  to  the  snake-skin 
of  powder  and  shot,  under  the  influence  of  super- 
stition, or  fear,  or  perhaps  both,  he  would  not  touch 
it,  nor  suffer  it  to  stay  in  his  house,  nor  in  any  part 
of  his  dominions.  The  messenger  who  brought  it 
would  not  remove  it.  Another  Indian  took  it  up, 
and  after  it  had  been  bandied  about  from  one  place 


72 

to  another,  every  where  regarded  as  an  object  of 
terror,  it  was  at  last  brought  back,  unopened,  to  the 
colony. 

Notwithstanding  the  bold  front  which  the  English 
presented  to  the  Indians,  and  their  professed  readi- 
ness to  meet  them,  they  were  deeply  sensible  of 
their  real  weakness.  They  knew  that  the  little 
town  was  illy  prepared  for  a  sudden  or  powerful 
attack.  They  accordingly  adopted  means  of  addi- 
tional defence,  by  impaling  it,  including  also  the  top 
of  the  hill  under  which  the  town  was  placed.  They 
also  made  four  bulwarks  or  "  jetties  "  on  the  out- 
side of  the  pale.  The  captain  then  divided  his  men 
into  four  companies,  and  appointed  over  each  one 
to  command.  He  also  ordered  a  general  training, 
when  he  assigned  every  officer  his  place,  gave  him 
his  men,  and  charged  them  all  to  resort  immedi- 
ately, on  any  alarm,  to  their  assigned  places,  under 
their  own  leaders.  One  part  of  the  exercises  on 
that  occasion  consisted  in  each  officer  marching  his 
men  to  their  appointed  places,  and  there  discharging 
their  guns  simultaneously.  After  this,  the  men 
escorted  their  officers  to  their  dwellings,  fired  a 
salute  in  their  honor,  and  then  dispersed.  This 
may  be  considered  as  "  the  first  general  muster  in 
New  England,"  and  the  germ  of  the  militia  system 
which  at  present  prevails  there. 

After  these  arrangements  were  completed,  it  was 


SQUANTO    SUSPECTED.  73 

deemed  desirable  to  make  another  voyage  to  the 
Massachusetts.  Hobbamock  endeavored  to  dissuade 
them  from  it,  on  the  ground  that  he  feared  the  Mas- 
sachusetts were  in  league  with  the  Narragansetts, 
and  would  seize  the  opportunity  to  attack,  and, 
perhaps,  kill  the  captain  and  his  company  during 
their  absence,  whilst  the  Narragansetts  might,  at  the 
same  time,  make  war  upon  the  town.  He  also 
expressed  the  fear  that  the  unsuspected  Squanto 
was  in  alliance  with  them,  and  would  employ  every 
effort  to  entice  the  Pilgrims  away  from  their  boat, 
so  that  they  might  be  more  favorably  attacked.  It 
was,  on  the  whole,  deemed  best,  notwithstanding 
the  statements  of  Hobbomock,  to  proceed  on  the 
voyage,  though  with  more  than  usual  caution.  Ac- 
cordingly, Captain  Standish,  with  ten  men,  accom- 
panied also  by  Squanto  and  Hobbomock,  set  sail. 
After  proceeding  a  few  miles,  the  wind  ceased,  and 
they  were  becalmed.  Whilst  they  were  lying  here, 
they  heard  three  reports  of  a  cannon,  as  a  signal  fo. 
them  to  return.  After  they  had  left,  an  Indian  who 
belonged  to  Squanto's  family  came  running  with 
great  haste  to  some  of  the  colonists  who  were  at  a 
distance  from  home,  telling  them  to  return  immedi- 
ately, as  the  Narragansetts,  with  Massasoit,  Corbi- 
tant,  and  many  others,  were  on  their  way  to  attack 
the  settlement,  during  the  absence  of  the  captain. 
This  story  appeared  the  more  plausible,  from  the 
7 


74  FALSE    REPORTS. 

fact  that  his  face  was  covered  with  blood,  which  he 
said  was  occasioned  by  a  wound  that  he  received  for 
speaking  in  defence  of  the  colonists.  He  pretended 
to  be  in  great  fear,  looking  frequently  behind  him, 
as  if  to  see  whether  he  was  pursued.  Being  brought 
to  the  governor,  he  told  him  the  same  story.  The 
governor  at  once  ordered  the  cannon  to  be  fired, 
that  if  the  voyagers  were  not  beyond  hearing,  they 
might  return.  They  retraced  their  course  as  soon 
as  possible,  with  considerable  anxiety  to  know  the 
cause  of  their  recall.  Upon  their  arrival,  they  found 
the  town  prepared  for  action ;  but  as  soon  as  the 
rumor  of  the  invasion  was  mentioned,  Hobbamock 
said  it  was  all  false ;  that  Massasoit  was  faithful  to 
his  treaty,  and,  besides,  he  would  not  go  to  war 
without  his  knowledge,  as  he  always,  on  such 
occasions,  consulted  his  braves, .  of  whom  he  was 
one.  To  obtain  certain  information,  the  governor 
sent  the  wife  of  Hobbamock  to  Pokanoket,  the 
residence  of  Massasoit,  to  make  secret  observations 
and  inquiries,  and  bring  back  the  result.  Finding 
every  thing  peaceful  at  Pokanoket,  she  informed 
Massasoit  of  the  rumor  and  its  effect  at  the  colony. 
The  old  chief  was  much  offended  at  Squanto,  but 
grateful  to  the  governor  that  his  confidence  in  him 
was  not  shaken,  and  repeated  his  determination  to 
abide  by  the  treaty.  Squanto  now  fell  under  sus- 
picion. The  whole  of  this  trouble  was  traced  to 


THE    BURIED    PLAGUE.  75 

him.  He  was  severely  reprimanded  by  the  gov- 
ernor ;  but  bis  services  as  interpreter  being  so  im- 
portant, he  could  not  be  dismissed.  It  was  now 
ascertained  to  have  been  his  policy  to  make  the 
Indians  around  the  settlement  believe  that  he  had 
great  influence  with  the  English,  and  that  he  could 
induce  them  to  make  war  or  peace.  He  would 
sometimes  send  word  to  the  Indians  that  the  English 
were  about  to  attack  them,  in  order  that  they  might 
bestow  upon  him  gifts  to  prevent  it. 

He  was  a  deceitful,  selfish,  covetous,  and  ambi- 
tious fellow,  and  had  managed  his  operations  so 
artfully,  as  to  be  held  in  greater  reverence  by  some 
of  the  Indians  than  Massasoit  himself.  Among  the 
methods  which  he  resorted  to  in  order  to  impress 
the  natives  with  the  Mronderful  power  of  the  Eng- 
lish, was  the  relation  of  falsehoods  respecting  the 
miraculous  agencies  at  their  command.  "  These 
pale-faces,"  said  he  to  a  group  of  wondering  na- 
tives, "  are  a. wise  and  powerful  people.  Diseases 
are  at  their  command.  They  have  now  buried  in 
the  ground,  under  their  store  house,  the  plague  ! 
They  can  send  it  forth  to  any  place,  or  upon  any 
people  they  please,  and  sweep  them  all  away,  though 
they  themselves  went  not  a  step  from  home."  When 
sent  for  by  the  governor,  on  one  occasion,  he  with 
Hobbamock  and  several  others  entered  the  house. 
A  hole  had  been  dug  in  the  floor  for  the  purpose  of 


76  SQUANTO    IN    DANGER. 

concealing  certain  articles,  and  the  ground  was  left 
in  a  broken  state.  Hobbamock,  looking  down  to  it, 
asked  Squanto,  — 

"  What  does  that  mean  1  " 

"  That,"  said  the  wily  Indian,  "  is  the  place 
where  the  plague  is  buried,  that  I  told  you  of !  " 

Hobbamock,  to  be  satisfied  of  the  truth  or  false- 
hood of  this  marvellous  statement,  asked  one  of  the 
colonists,  on  a  subsequent  occasion,  if  it  were  so. 

"  No,"  said  the  stern,  truthful  Puritan ;  "  we 
have  not  the  plague  at  our  command,  but  the  God 
whom  we  worship  has,  and  he  can  send  it  forth  to 
the  destruction  of  both  his  enemies  and  ours." 

When  the  true  character  of  the  interpreter  be- 
came known,  the  colonists  spared  no  pains  to  con- 
tradict his  falsehoods,  and  to  inform  the  natives  of 
the  true  relations  wliich  he  sustained. 

The  high-minded  Massasoit  was  so  indignant 
towards  Squanto  for  the  false  rumors  he  had  caused 
to  be  circulated  respecting  his  alliance  with  the 
Narragansetts  to  oppose  the  English,  that  he  desired 
to  put  him  to  death,  and  demanded  him  of  the 
governor  for  that  purpose.  The  governor  replied, 
that  although  Squanto  deserved  death,  yet  it  was 
desirable  that  he  be  spared,  on  account  of  his  ac- 
quaintance with  both  languages,  as,  without  him,  it 
would  be  difficult  for  them  to  communicate  with 
each  other.  Massasoit  was  not  satisfied.  He  de- 


SQUANTO    ESCAPES.  77 

manded  him  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  which 
had  been  formed ;  yet,  as  a  satisfaction  to  the  gov- 
ernor, for  the  loss  of  his  services,  he  offered  him 
many  beaver-skins.  The  governor  replied,  that  the 
English  did  not  give  men  to  death  for  a  reward,  and 
therefore  declined  receiving  his  gifts.  He,  however, 
sent  for  Squanto,  who,  though  he  knew  that  the 
messengers  were  seeking  his  life,  willingly  complied 
with  the  command  of  the  governor,  and  yielded 
himself  up  to  his  disposal.  The  messengers  of 
Massasoit,  being  determined,  if  possible,  to  obtain 
Squanto,  and  having  brought  with  them  their  sa- 
chem's knife  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  his 
head  and  hands,  continued  to  press  their  claims. 
The  governor  wavered.  He  had  nearly  decided  to 
yield  to  the  chief's  wishes  —  he  fully  so  decided, 
and  just  as  he  was  about  to  deliver  the  poor,  false 
interpreter  into  the  hands  of  the  messengers,  which 
would  have  been  the  sealing  of  his  doom,  the  giving 
of  him  over  to  the  tortures  of  an  Indian  execution, 
an  unexpected  object  seen  in  the  distance  thwarted 
his  intentions. 

This  unexpected  object  was  a  boat,  which  was 
seen  to  cross  the  harbor,  and  conceal  itself  behind  a 
headland,  not  far  from  the  colony.  It  belonged  not 
to  the  settlers,  neither  was  it  a  native  craft. 

"  May  it  not  be  French  ?  " 
7* 


78  A    STRANGE    CRAFT. 

"  It  is  rumored  that  the  French  have  combined 
with  savages  against  us." 

"  Had  we  not  better  wait  until  this  question  is 
settled,  before  we  deliver  up  Squanto  7  " 

The  governor  so  decided.  When  he  informed 
the  messengers  of  Massasoit  that  he  would-  not 
deliver  Squanto  into  their  hands  until  he  had  ascer- 
tained the  character  of  the  suspicious  boat,  they 
were  greatly  enraged,  and  departed  in  a  violent  pas- 
sion. Tliis  was  a  fortunate  occurrence  for  the 
guilty  interpreter.  It  resulted  in  his  deliverance 
from  death. 

It  was  soon  discovered  that  the  boat  which  had 
produced  tliis  excitement  was  a  friendly  shallop,  be- 
longing to  a  vessel  called  the  Sparrow,  engaged  in 
fishing  on  the  coast  of  Maine.  She  was  owned  by 
Thomas  Weston,  a  merchant  of  London,  and  had 
brought  out  six  or  seven  passengers,  to  be  landed  at 
Plymouth.  These  immigrants,  like  those  who  came 
in  the  Fortune,  brought  no  food  with  them.  As  it 
was  now  May,  and  the  winter  stock  of  the  little 
colony  nearly  exhausted,  as  wild  fowl  could  not  be 
found,  and  they  had  neither  hooks  nor  seines  for 
fishing,  there  was  a  prospect  of  suffering  in  future, 
unless  stores  could  be  obtained  from  some  unex- 
pected quarter.  It  was  concluded  to  send  Mr. 
Winslow  back  with  this  shallop  to  Maine,  to  pur- 
chase, if  possible,  provisions  from  the  fishing  vessels 


WINSLOW    VISITS    MAINE.  79 

which  frequented  that  coast.  He  went,  taking  with 
him  the  boat  belonging  to  the  colony.  He  was 
kindly  received  by  the  fishermen,  who,  though  they 
would  not  sell  him  victuals,  cheerfully  gave  him  all 
they  could  spare,  expressing,  at  the  same  time, 
regret  that  they  had  not  the  ability  to  do  more. 
He  was  successful  in  procuring  enough  to  supply 
the  wants  of  the  colony,  upon  a  moderate  allow- 
ance, until  their  own  crops  were  ripe. 

Being  informed  by  the  captain  of  one  of  these 
fishermen,  of  a  dreadful  massacre  of  the  whites  by 
the  Indians  in  Virginia,  when  three  hundred  and 
forty-seven  were  slain  with  great  barbarity ;  and 
hearing,  also,  that  the  Indians  round  the  colony 
were  glorying  in  its  weakness,  and  boasting  how 
easily  it  could  be  destroyed,  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  erect  a  fort  upon  the  top  of  the  hill,  under  which 
the  town  was  sheltered,  from  which  a  few  individ- 
uals might  make  a  vigorous  defence.  The  work 
was  commenced  with  great  zeal,  and  with  the  unan- 
imous concurrence  of  the  whole  company.  After 
it  was  finished,  it  was  used  as  a  house  of  worship, 
as  well  as  a  place  of  defence !  The  Puritans  be- 
lieved in  the  importance  of  "  works  "  as  well  as  of 
faith.  Their  confidence  in  their  heavenly  Preserver 
was  never  suffered  to  diminish  their  efforts  for  self- 
preservation.  They  expected  no  Hercules  to  ap- 
pear and  remove  their  difficulties,  so  long  as  they 


80  PURITAN    PRINCIPLES. 

did  not  put  their  own  shoulder  to  the  wheel.  Sensi- 
ble of  their  personal  obligations,  they  adopted  every 
possible  means  for  their  defence  and  prosperity,  and 
then  trusted  in  their  divine  Protector  to  crown  them 
with  success.  The  same  building  was  at  once  their 
fort  and  their  church.  They  went  to  prayer  with 
their  weapons  on.  They  prefaced  their  battles  with 
devotion.  They  rigidly  kept  the  Sabbath,  and  they 
diligently  worked  six  days  in  the  week.  They 
fished  for  a  living,  and  fasted  as  an  act  of  piety. 
They  were  thankful  for  blessings,  and  thoughtful  in 
making  bargains.  They  "  walked  softly  before  the 
Lord,"  and  circumspectly  in  the  midst  of  perils. 
They  feared  to  offend  God,  but  feared  not  to  fight 
combined  tribes  of  Indians  when  self-defence  re- 
quired it. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

"  A  lazy,  lolling  sort, 
Unseen  at  church,  at  senate,  or  at  court, 
Of  ever  listless  loit'rers,  that  attend 
No  cause,  no  trust,  no  duty,  and  no  friend."  —  POPE. 

Arrival  of  the  Charity  and  the  Swan.  —  A  New  Colony. — Its  Mate- 
rials. —  Its  Object.  —  Its  Difficulties.  —  An  Expedition  in  Part- 
nership. —  Chatham.  —  Shyness  of  the  Natives.  —  Success  in 
Trade.  —  Squanto  dies.  —  His  last  Request.  —  His  History.  — 
Favorable  Providence.  —  Indiscretion  of  the  New  Colony.  — 
Storm.  —  The  Shallop  aground.  —  Stores  left  in  the  Care  of  In- 
dians.—  The  Return. — Puritan  Firmness.  —  Indian  Theft.— 
Restoration  Demanded.  —  Its  Result.  —  Ludicrous  Ceremony. — 
Folly  of  Imitation. — Indian  Gamblers.  —  Mysterious  Visitors. — 
Their  Object.  —  Indian  Brawl  and  Murder.  —  Hobbamock's  Ad- 
vice. —  A  Powwow  executed. 

ABOUT  the  beginning  of  July,  1622,  two  vessels 
came  round  Cape  Cod,  and  in  a  few  hours  anchored 
in  the  harbor  of  Plymouth.  They  were  the  Charity 
and  the  Swan.  They  belonged  to  Mr.  Weston,  who 
had  formerly  been  much  interested  in  the  settlers  at 
Plymouth,  but  who  had  recently  concluded  to  plant 
a  colony  of  his  own  somewhere  in  Massachusetts 
Bay.  The  pioneers  of  this  new  plantation  had  come 
over  in  these  two  vessels.  They  landed  at  Plym- 
outh, and  were  received  with  as  much  hospitality 
as  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  colony  would 
afford.  They  proved  to  be  very  undesirable  visitors, 


32  COLONIAL,    SPECULATION. 

and  peculiarly  unfit  to  be  the  founders  of  a  settle- 
ment in  the  midst  of  hostile  or  suspicious  Indians. 
They  were  a  great  annoyance  to  the  Puritans  whilst 
they  tarried  with  them,  and  to  the  Indians  after  they 
left  and  had  commenced  a  plantation  of  their  own. 
They  were  a  rude,  profane,  improvident,  thievish  set 
of  men.  They  wasted  the  colonist's  corn,  and  re- 
paid their  kindness  with  backbitings  and  revilings. 
An  exploring  party  was  sent  out  from  them  to  dis- 
cover a  suitable  place  for  settlement.  They  selected 
a  spot  which  the  Indians  called  Wessagusset,  now 
known  as  Weymouth.  Thither  they  all  went  except 
the  invalids,  who,  by  the  permission  of  the  governor, 
remained  at  Plymouth  until  they  were  restored  to 
health.  The  kindness  of  the  surgeon,  Dr.  Fuller, 
was  shown  in  his  making  no  charge  for  his  profes- 
sional services,  although  he  might  justly  have  sent  in 
a  bill. 

This  second  colony  was  purely  a  business  affair. 
It  was  a  speculation.  It  was  entirely  destitute  of 
every  religious  element,  though  it  abounded  with 
irreligious  ones.  The  men  were  far  from  being 
Puritans,  and  ought  never  to  be  confounded  with 
them.  They  feared  neither  God  nor  man.  As 
might  have  been  expected,  they  soon  became  em- 
broiled with  the  Indians.  The  robberies  and  other 
crimes  they  committed  irritated  the  savages,  who 
poured  their  complaints  into  the  ears  of  the  Plym- 


THE     NEW    COLONY.  83 

outh  people.  The  Puritans  remonstrated  with 
them,  told  them  of  the  wickedness  of  their  course, 
and  what  would  be  its  inevitable  consequence  if 
they  persisted  in  it.  At  the  same  time,  they  informed 
the  Indians  that  the  two  settlements  were  entirely 
independent  of  each  other,  and  however  much  they 
disapproved  the  conduct  of  the  Weymouthites,  they 
could  not  control  them,  neither  were  they  responsible 
for  them. 

In  consequence  of  their  mismanagement,  it  was  not 
long  before  Weston's  colony  was  reduced  to  great 
straits.  It  was  therefore  proposed,  that,  in  company 
with  some  of  the  Plymouth  people,  they  should  make 
a  voyage  to  the  different  Indian  settlements  along 
shore,  in  order  to  procure  corn,  beans,  or  other  arti- 
cles of  food.  Terms  of  agreement  being  settled  be- 
tween the  two  colonies,  as  to  the  division  of  the 
articles  which  they  might  obtain,  the  parties  set  sail 
in  the  Swan,  taking  with  them  the  shallop.  The 
first  night  they  reached  Manamoick,  now  known 
as  Chatham.  The  governor,  with  Squanto  and  a 
few  others,  went  ashore.  At  first,  the  natives  were 
very  shy.  After  they  understood  the  object  of  the 
visit,  they  were  more  accessible.  They  welcomed 
the  party  in  their  usual  rude  style,  furnishing  them 
an  abundance  of  venison  and  other  food,  but  at  the 
same  time  they  were  particularly  careful  to  conceal 
from  them  their  wigwams.  It  was  evident  that  they 


84  SQUANTO'S     DEATH. 

were  apprehensive  of  danger.  They  had  not  full 
confidence  in  the  peaceful  professions  of  their  visitors. 
But  when  they  learned  that  it  was  the  governor's 
intention  to  spend  the  night  on  shore,  they  first  had 
all  their  valuables  removed  from  their  huts  and 
stored  in  some  place  of  concealment,  and  then  they 
invited  the  party  to  their  homes.  As  one  of  the  men 
walked  about,  he  accidentally  discovered  their  place 
of  concealment ;  immediately  the  Indians  fled, 
taking  with  them  their  property  to  hide  in  a  place 
of  greater  security.  Being  discovered  again,  they 
fled  as  before,  taking  every  thing  with  them.  This 
they  did  repeatedly — as  often  as  they  were  seen. 
Squanto  finally  succeeded  in  allaying  their  fears  and 
persuading  them  to  traffic.  The  party  obtained  from 

them  eight  hogsheads  of  corn  and  beans.     This  was 

• 

the  last  service  which  poor  Squanto  rendered  to  the 
English.  He  was  here  attacked  with  a  fever,  at- 
tended with  bleeding  at  the  nose.  His  symptoms 
became  worse.  Nothing  that  was  done  produced 
any  favorable  effect.  The  disease  hastened  to  a 
crisis.  He  was  convinced  that  he  could  not  recover. 
As  memorials  of  his  love  and  gratitude,  he  bequeathed 
various  articles  to  his  different  English  friends. 

"  Pray  for  me,"  said  this  dying  Indian  to  Governor 
Bradford,  "  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  go  to  the  Eng- 
lishman's God  in  Heaven."  After  which  he  soon 
expired.  This  child  of  nature  had  passed  through  a 


SQUANTO'S     HISTORY.  85 

more  varied  experience  than  usually  fell  to  the  lot  of 
the  sons  of  the  forest.  He  had,  as  we  have  seen, 
been  kidnapped  by  Hunt,  taken  across  the  Atlantic, 
and  sold  into  slavery  in  Spain ;  —  he  was  liberated 
by  the  Catholics  ;  passed  over  to  England  ;  acquired 
something  of  the  language ;  returned  to  the  land  of 
his  fathers,  and  found  himself  the  only  one  of  his 
tribe  in  these  parts  who  had  not  been  cut  off  by  the 
plague.  His  previous  history  had  admirably  quali- 
fied liim  to  be  an  interpreter  between  the  natives  and 
the  English,  for  in  addition  to  his  knowledge  of  the 
languages,  his  having  been  to  England  was  of  great 
importance,  as  it  enabled  him  to  give  information  to 
the  Indians  concerning  the  numbers,  the  ships,  the 
cities,  and  the  greatness  of  the  English,  by  which  they 
would  have  more  correct  and  exalted  opinions  of 
them,  and  would  more,  readily  enter  into  alliance 
with  them.  Doubtless  before  the  arrival  of  the  May- 
flower, Squanto  had  related  his  adventures  to  the 
Indians,  and  told  them  of  the  greatness  and  power 
of  the  English,  as  seen  in  their  own  land.  It  is  not 
improbable  that  the  information  he  gave  was  gener- 
ally circulated  among  the  tribes  around  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  so  that  they  stood  more  in  awe  of  the 
English  than  they  would  have  done,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  his  communications.  It  was  certainly  a  very 
favorable  providence  that  the  Puritans,  who,  upon 
their  arrival,  were  profoundly  ignorant  of  the  lan- 
8 


86  INDISCRETION    AND    WICKEDNESS. 

guage  of  the  Indians,  should  so  soon  have  found  one 
competent  to  be  an  interpreter.  Through  his  instru- 
mentality, misunderstandings  and  difficulties  were 
avoided,  which  otherwise  might  easily  have  occurred. 
The  suspicions  of  the  Indians  were  allayed.  The 
real  character  and  objects  of  the  English  were  made 
known  to  them,  and  negotiations  entered  into  which 
resulted  in  a  friendly  alliance. 

It  was  the  design  of  the  party  to  visit  some  of  the 
tribes  to  the  south  of  Cape  Cod.  But,  in  consequence 
of  the  death  of  Squanto,  this  was  abandoned.  The 
wind  being  favorable,  they  returned  to  the  Massachu- 
setts, who  had  promised  to  plant  a  quantity  of  corn 
for  the  English.  Upon  their  arrival  there,  they  found 
the  Indians  suffering  from  the  prevalence  of  a  disease 
somewhat  similar  to  the  plague.  Trade  was  de- 
stroyed there,  in  consequence  of  the  indiscreet  man- 
ner in  which  it  had  been  conducted  by  Weston's 
men,  they  having  purchased  of  the  Indians  at  much 
higher  rates  than  the  Puritans  were  accustomed  to 
give.  Beads,  trinkets,  and  cutlery  had  fallen  in  value. 
Notwithstanding  their  wickedness,  they  were  not  so 
good  at  a  bargain  as  the  Plymouthites.  The  Indians 
repeated  their  complaints  of  the  villanies  of  the  new 
colony.  The  party  next  visited  Nauset,  now  East- 
ham,  where  they  obtained  eight  or  ten  hogsheads  of 
beans  and  corn.  But  a  storm  coming  on,  and  their 
shallop  being  cast  away,  they  had  no  means  of  re- 


DIVISION    OF    STORES.  87 

moving  the  stores  which  they  had  bought.  The  corn 
was  therefore  placed  in  a  heap,  covered  with  mats 
and  coarse  sedge,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  an 
Indian,  with  the  promise,  that,  if  he  prevented  it  from 
being  stolen,  or  from  being  injured  by  vermin,  he 
should  be  suitably  rewarded.  The  shallop  was  found 
half  buried  in  the  sand,  but  too  much  injured  to  be 
repaired  with  the  means  then  at  their  disposal.  They 
left  that  in  the  care  of  the  chief,  with  the  assurance, 
that,  if  it  received  no  additional  injury,  and  if  the 
grain  which  they  had  purchased  should  not  be 
touched,  they  would  regard  it  as  evidence  of  their 
sincere  friendliness  ;  but  if  the  shallop  or  the  stores 
should  be  molested,  they  would  deem  it  an  unfavora- 
ble indication,  and  would  punish  them  accordingly. 
After  the  governor  had  completed  these  arrange- 
ments, he,  with  a  portion  of  the  company,  set  out  for 
Plymouth,  on  foot,  where  they  arrived  safely,  though 
with  sore  feet  and  great  fatigue,  after  walking  fifty 
miles. 

Within  two  or  three  days  after,  the  Swan  arrived, 
bringing  the  remainder.  The  corn  and  beans  which 
they  had  brought  being  now  divided  between  the 
two  parties,  Weston's  men  returned  home. 

Whilst  the  Puritans  were  careful  not  to  wrong  the 
Indians,  neither  would  they  let  the  Indians  injure 
them.  They  deemed  it  important  always  to  exhibit 
a  firm  determination  to  exact  their  just  dues,  and  by 


BO  RIDICULOUS     CEREMONY. 

no  means  to  be  sinned  against  with  impunity.  When 
they  detected,  on  the  part  of  the  natives,  misdemeanors, 
their  sachems  were  informed  of  it,  and  restitution  de- 
manded at  once.  An  illustration  of  this  decision  of 
character  was  furnished  during  their  recent  visit  at 
Eastham.  An  Indian  entered  their  shallop,  which 
had  been  drawn  up  into  one  of  the  numerous  creeks 
with  which  that  place  abounds,  and  stole  from  it 
beads,  scissors,  and  other  articles.  As  soon  as  it 
was  known,  the  captain  took  a  number  of  his  men, 
went  to  the  sachem,  informed  him  of  the  theft,  and 
in  a  bold  tone  demanded  the  restoration  of  the  miss- 
ing articles,  or  the  delivery  of  the  thief,  with  the 
declaration,  that,  if  this  demand  was  unheeded,  he 
would  inflict  summary  punishment  upon  them  before 
he  left.  He  then  withdrew  till  morning,  declining  to 
receive  their  proffered  hospitality.  The  Indians  not 
only  knew  that  a  robbery  had  been  committed,  but 
also  who  was  the  criminal.  The  next  day,  the 
sachem,  accompanied  with  many  of  his  tribe,  visited 
the  English,  at  their  rendezvous,  in  as  great  state  as 
he  could  command.  As  they  approached  the  captain, 
each  man  thrust  out  his  tongue  the  whole  length, 
licked  his  hands  from  the  wrists  to  the  ends  of  his 
fingers,  at  the  same  time  bending  the  knee  and  bow- 
ing in  such  an  awkward,  ungainly  manner,  that  the 
English  could  with  difficulty  restrain  their  laughter. 
They  presented  an  extremely  ludicrous  spectacle. 


INDIAN     GAMBLERS.  3» 

This  ridiculous  ceremony  was  not  one  of  their  own 
original  customs.  It  was  an  attempt  to  imitate  the 
English  mode  of  salutation,  according  to  instructions 
received  from  Squanto.  As  he  had  been  to  England, 
was  acquainted  with  their  language,  and  made  it  his 
home  much  of  the  time  at  Plymouth,  where  he  saw 
their  customs  and  manners  daily,  the  Indians,  without 
doubt,  regarded  him  as  fully  competent  to  initiate 
them  into  the  mysteries  of  English  politeness.  Hence 
their  readiness  to  follow  his  directions  on  this  occa- 
sion. But  like  certain  imitations  of  foreign  customs 
and  fashions  which  are  sometimes  practised  among 
civilized  people,  it  partook  of  the  absurd.  However, 
it  was  well  intended,  and  was  received  in  the  same 
spirit.  Salutations  being  over,  the  sachem  restored 
the  stolen  articles  to  the  captain,  at  the  same  time 
informing  him  that  he  had  given  the  guilty  party  a 
sound  beating. 

The  Indians  were  great  gamblers.  In  games  of 
hazard  or  skill,  they  would  sometimes  lose  their 
knives,  hatchets,  skins,  clothes,  dwellings,  food, 
money,  arid  even  their  own  liberty.  A  vice  seldom 
exists  alone.  Crimes  are  gregarious.  As  with  more 
cultivated  gamesters,  so  with  these  blacklegs  of  the 
forest,  their  playing  sometimes  led  to  quarrels,  bat- 
tles, wounds,  and  death. 

One  bitter  cold  January  night,  whilst  the  governor 
was  at  Buzzard's  Bay,  on  a  visit  to  the  chief,  Cana- 


IHI  GAMBLING  AND  MURDER. 

cum,  two  Indians  arrived  from  Manamoick,  now 
Chatham.  They  entered  the  wigwam,  deliberately 
laid  aside  their  weapons,  seated  themselves  by  the 
fire,  and  took  a  pipe,  without  any  words  passing  be- 
tween them  and  the  occupants  of  the  tent.  That 
they  had  come  on  some  important  embassy,  was  evi- 
dent from  their  appearance  and  manners,  but  what  it 
was  no  one  knew.  After  remaining  some  time  in 
silence,  they  ventured  to  raise  their  eyes  towards 
Canacum.  One  of  them  gave  a  short  address,  and 
then,  in  the  name  of  his  sachem,  presented  to  Cana- 
cum a  basket  of  tobacco  and  a  quantity  of  beads, 
which  were  thankfully  received.  He  then  disclosed 
the  object  of  their  visit  in  an  address  of  greater 
length,  the  purport  of  which  was  as  follows  :  As 
two  men  of  their  tribe  were  gambling,  they  fell  into  a 
quarrel.  From  words  they  came  to  blows,  and  in 
the  fight  one  of  them  was  slain !  Unfortunately,  the 
murderer  was  a  powwow,  a  distinguished  medicine 
man  among  them,  whom  they  were  reluctant  to  exe- 
cute. But  another  tribe,  more  powerful  than  theirs, 
had  espoused  the  cause  of  the  murdered  man,  and 
had  declared,  that  if  the  murderer  was  not  put  to 
death,  they  would  deem  it  a  just  occasion  of  war, 
and  would  act  accordingly.  They  had  come,  there- 
fore, from  their  sachem,  to  obtain  advice,  as  he  ha'd 
resolved  to  form  no  decision  in  the  case  until  their 
return.  After  the  speech,  all  the  savages  remained 


THE    FATAL    CONSEQUENCE.  91 

a  considerable  time  in  silence,  as  if  solemnly  con- 
sidering the  important  subject.  At  length,  they  be- 
gan to  express  their  opinions.  Hobbamock,  who 
was  present  as  the  governor's  interpreter,  was  asked 
his  advice.  He  replied,  that,  as  the  acquittal  of  the 
powwow  would  lead  to  war,  in  which  many  would 
be  killed,  he  thought  it  was  better  that  one  guilty 
person  should  die,  rather  than  many  who  were  in- 
nocent. Upon  which,  the  murderer,  who  was  then 
held  in  custody,  was  sentenced  to  be  executed. 

Gambling  is  a  vice  of  a  most  enticing  and  de- 
structive nature.  It  is  painfully  interesting  to  notice 
that  it  leads  to  the  same  dreadful  results  among  the 
ignorant  savages  of  the  forest,  as  among  professional 
gamesters  of  more  civilized  communities. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

"  And  when  they  talk  of  him,  they  shake  their  heads, 
And  whispur  one  another  in  the  ear; 
And  he  that  speaks  doth  gripe  the  hearer's  wrist ; 
Whilst  he  that  hears  makes  fearful  action, 
And  wrinkled  brows,  with  nods,  with  rolling  eyes."  —  SHAKSFEAH. 

Fears  of  Conspiracy.  —  Illness  of  Massasoit.  —  Winslow,  with  two 
others,  sets  out  to  visit  him.  —  Arrives  at  a  Ferry. —  Hears  that 
Massasoit  is  dead.  —  Hobbamock's  deep  Grief.  —  His  Descrip- 
tion of  the  Chief.  —  They  visit  Corbitant's  House.  —  A  Mes- 
senger sent  to  Pokanoket.  —  Returns  with  the  News  that  Mas- 
sasoit is  yet  alive.  —  The  Party  press  on.  —  Their  Arrival.—- 
Powwows  at  work  upon  the  sick  Chief.  —  Winslow  prescribes 
for  him.  —  He  improves. — Eats  too  hearty,  and  becomes  worse. 
—  Indian  Custom.  —  Efforts  to  persuade  Massasoit  to  oppose  the 
English.  — They  are  unsuccessful.  —  Massasoit  reveals  the  Con- 
spiracy.—  His  Advice.  —  Conversation  with  Corbitant.  —  How 
the  Puritans  taught  the  Indians.  —  Origin  of  Traditions. 

Nor  long  after  this,  the  colonists  began  to  sus- 
pect, from  various  facts  which  had  come  to  their 
knowledge,  that  the  Indians  were  plotting  their  de- 
struction. These  suspicions  were  afterwards  con- 
firmed, when  it  became  necessary  to  take  vigorous 
measures  for  their  defence ;  but  previous  to  any 
actual  collision  between  them,  the  painful  intelli- 
gence was  brought  to  Plymouth,  that  Massasoit, 
their  tried  friend,  was  dangerously  ill,  and,  also,  that 
a  ship  belonging  to  the  Dutch  was  stranded  near 
his  dwelling.  It  was  deemed  advisable  for  Winslow 


MESSENGERS    TO    MASSASOIT.  93 

to  visit  him,  to  express  the  sympathy  of  the  colo- 
nists in  his  affliction,  and  to  render  him  any  assist- 
ance in  their  power.  Another  object  which  they 
had  in  view,  was  to  obtain  an  interview  with  the 
Dutch.  As  Winslow  was  somewhat  acquainted 
with  their  language,  he  was  selected  for  this  pur- 
pose. He  was  accompanied  on  his  journey  by  a 
Mr.  John  Hamden,  a  gentleman  from  London,  who 
happened  to  be  wintering  at  Plymouth,  and  who 
desired  to  see  the  country,  and  by  Hobbamock,  who, 
since  the  death  of  Squarito,  had  acted  as  interpreter 
for  the  colony.  This  was  in  March,  1623.  The 
first  night  they  reached  Namasket,  now  Middle- 
borough,  where  Standish  and  his  men  made  their 
midnight  attack  in  search  of  Corbitant.  About 
noon,  the  next  day,  they  arrived  at  a  ferry  ;  but 
seeing  no  one,  Winslow  fired  his  piece.  This 
brought  the  Indians  out,  who  informed  him  that 
Massasoit  was  dead  and  buried,  and  that  the  Dutch 
ship  was  afloat,  and  would  probably  be  gone  before 
they  could  reach  there.  This  was  unwelcome  news, 
especially  to  the  interpreter.  They  were  now  about 
three  miles  from  the  residence  of  Corbitant.  As  it 
was  probable  he  would  succeed  to  the  chieftainship, 
upon  the  death  of  Massasoit,  Winslow  regarded  k 
important  to  see  him  at  that  time,  in  order  to  enter 
into  a  more  friendly  alliance  with  him.  As  the 
others  had  no  objection,  although  there  was  some 


94  RUMORS    OF    THE    CHIEF'S    DEATH. 

peril  in  the  undertaking,  arising  from  the  previous 
collision  with  Corbitant,  he  started  towards  Matta- 
poiset,  his  village.  This  was  in  Swansey.  On  the 
way,  Hobbamock  could  not  restrain  his  grief  for  the 
death  of  Massasoit,  but  gave  utterance  to  his  feel- 
ings in  the  exclamation,  "  O  my  chief,  my  dear,  my 
loving  chief!  with  many  have  I  been  acquainted, 
but  none  ever  equalled  thee."  Then  turning  to  his 
friend,  he  said,  "  O  Master  Winslow,  his  like  you 
will  never  see  again.  He  was  not  like  other  In- 
dians, false,  bloody,  and  implacable  ;  but  kind,  easily 
appeased  when  angry,  easily  reconciled  with  of- 
fenders. He  was  reasonable  in  his  requirements; 
was  not  ashamed  to  ask  advice  of  those  in  low 
stations.  He  was  a  wise  ruler.  He  governed  bet- 
ter with  mild,  than  other  chiefs  did  with  severe, 
measures,  returning  love  for  love.  I  fear  you  have 
not  now  a  faithful  friend  left  among  the  Indians." 
He  would  then  break  forth  again  in  loud  lamenta- 
tions, "  enough,"  as  Winslow  says,  "  to  have  made 
the  hardest  heart  relent."  There  is  something 
deeply  affecting  in  the  artlessness  of  this  Indian's 
sorrow,  and  in  the  simple  frankness  of  its  utterance. 
It  was  not  a  mere  outburst  of  feeling,  for  which  no 
intelligent  reason  could  be  assigned,  but  a  graphic 
delineation  of  the  qualities  of  him  whose  decease 
was  lamented,  which  delineation  also  served  to 
deepen  the  intensity  of  his  sorrow,  by  bringing  more 


THE  CHIEF'S  WRETCHED  CONDITION.         95 

vividly  before  him  the  greatness  of  liis  loss.  It  re- 
minds us  of  the  lamentation  of  David  over  his 
friend  Jonathan.  "  I  am  distressed  for  thee,  my 
brother  Jonathan :  very  pleasant  hast  thou  been 
unto  me.  Thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful,  passing 
the  love  of  women." 

When  they  arrived  at  the  residence  of  Corbitant, 
they  found  him  absent.  Upon  making  inquiries  of 
his  wife,  they  learned  that  she  had  not  heard,  with 
any  degree  of  certainty,  of  Massasoit's  death.  They 
then  hired  a  messenger,  and  sent  him  in  great  haste 
to  Pokanoket,  to  ascertain  the  true  state  of  the  case. 
Just  before  sunset,  he  returned  with  the  intelligence 
that  the  chief  was  not  yet  dead,  but  probably  would 
be  before  they  could  arrive.  They  at  once  started, 
hoping  to  reach  him  before  he  breathed  his  last. 
When  they  arrived,  they  found  the  house  so  full  of 
visitors,  that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  they  could 
effect  an  entrance.  When  they  had  succeeded,  they, 
beheld  a  scene  so  repulsive,  and  so  annoying,  as  to 
be  almost  sufficient  to  banish  what  little  vitality  the 
poor,  sick  sagamore  possessed.  Not  only  was  the 
place  filled  with  filthy  Indians,  who  effectually  for- 
bade all  fresh  air  to  the  dying  man,  but  the  pow- 
wows were  at  work  with  their  magical  incantations, 
now  rubbing  him,  now  yelling,  now  making  frantic 
gesticulations,  so  that  if  the  disease  had  been  intel- 
ligent, and  cognizant  of  what  was  in  progress,  it 


96  WINSLOW'S    KINDNESS. 

would  have  been  effectually  frightened  away.  Six 
or  eight  were  over  him  with  their  manipulations  at 
once,  and  at  a  time  when  he  ought  to  have  been 
favored  with  perfect  quiet.  After  their  superstitious 
spells  and  exorcisms  were  over,  they  informed  him 
that  his  English  friends  had  come  to  see  him.  The 
visitors  approached  his  couch,  and  rejoiced  to  find 
that  his  reason  continued,  though  his  sight  was  gone. 
"  Who  is  come  ? "  asked  the  blind  old  chief. 
"  Winsnow,"  said  they,  being  unable  to  pronounce 
the  /.  "  I  want  to  speak  with  him,"  said  the  pros- 
trate son  of  the  forest,  at  the  same  time  reaching 
forth  his  feeble  hand.  Winslow  seized  his  extended 
hand,  and  placed  himself  close  by  his  couch.  "  Art 
thou  Winsnow  1  "  feebly  inquired  the  sick  chief ; 
"  art  thou  Winsnow  1 "  "  Yes,"  was  the  reply. 
"  O  Winsnow,  I  shall  never  see  thee  more,"  said  he, 
in  his  own  language.  Hobbamock  was  now  called, 
and,  through  him,  Winslow  conveyed  to  the  invalid 
the  sympathy  of  the  governor,  informing  him  that 
such  was  his  desire  for  his  restoration  to  health,  that 
he  had  sent  him  some  things  which  he  thought 
might  be  of  service,  and  if  he  was  willing  to  take 
them,  he,  himself,  would  prepare  them.  He  said  he 
was  willing.  Winslow  then  took  upon  the  point  of 
his  knife  a  "  confection  of  many  comfortable  con- 
serves," which,  with  some  difficulty,  he  passed  be- 
tween the  patient's  teeth.  When  this  was  swal- 


MASSASOIT    BETTER.  97 

lowed,  those  that  stood  around  him  were  filled  with 
joy,  this  being  the  first  that  he  had  swallowed  for 
two  days.  His  mouth  was  found  to  be  in  a  very 
bad  state,  and  his  tongue  thickly  coated,  and  greatly 
swollen.  Winslow,  with  great  kindness,  washed  his 
mouth,  scraped  his  tongue,  and  cleansed  him  as  well 
as  he  could.  He  then  administered  more  of  the 
conserves,  which  were  swallowed  with  greater  ease 
than  the  first.  In  a  short  time,  he  gave  indica- 
tions of  decided  improvement.  Among  other  good 
signs,  his  sight  began  to  return.  As  nothing  suit- 
able for  a  sick  person  could  be  found  in  his  wig- 
wam, a  messenger  was  despatched  to  Plymouth  to 
obtain  medicines,  chickens  for  broth,  and  other 
needful  articles.  This  he  regarded  as  extremely 
kind.  Winslow,  though  unaccustomed  to  the  busi- 
ness, made  for  him  some  broth  without  any  fowl  — 
a  kind  of  mock-chicken  soup.  It  was  corn  gruel, 
seasoned  with  green  strawberry  leaves  and  slices  of 
sassafras  root.  He  strained  it  through  his  pocket 
handkerchief,  and  then  gave  him  about  a  half  a 
pint,  which  he  drank  with  a  good  relish.  After  this, 
he  improved  more  rapidly.  Being,  as  Hobbamock 
had  said,  a  man  of  kindly  feeling,  he  desired  Wins- 
low  to  visit  some  of  his  people  who  were  sick, 
cleanse  their  mouths,  and  administer  some  of  the 
same  articles  to  them  which  he  had  given  to  him, 
"for,"  said  he,  "they  are  good  persons."  His 
9 


98    THE  CHIEF'S  INDISCRETION  AND  RELAPSE. 

request  was  complied  with,  though  Winslow  found 
it  a  very  offensive  service.  He  expressed  a  desire 
for  some  pottage  made  of  goose,  or  duck.  Wins- 
low  went  out,  in  company  with  an  Indian,  after  one. 
They  discovered  a  brace  of  ducks.  When  Winslow, 
at  a  distance  of  more  than  a  hundred  paces,  shot 
and  killed  one  of  them,  his  companion  was  aston- 
ished. It  appeared  to  him  almost  miraculous. 
This  was  dressed  and  boiled.  Being  very  fat,  it 
made  gross  broth.  Winslow  was  about  to  skim  it. 
Massasoit  forbade  him.  Winslow  entreated  him  to 
allow  it  to  be  done,  as  otherwise  it  might  injure 
him.  The  sick  chief  persisted  in  his  refusal.  When 
it  was  prepared,  the  invalid,  instead  of  taking  a 
small  quantity,  sufficient  for  his  present  wants,  made 
a  hearty  meal.  He  overloaded  his  stomach,  which, 
in  the  course  of  an  hour,  produced  violent  vomiting 
and  bleeding  at  the  nose,  which  continued  for  sev- 
eral hours.  All  now  regretted  that  he  had  not 
complied  with  the  directions  of  his  nurse.  His  case 
became  worse,  and  death  seemed  near.  In  the 
course  of  time,  however,  these  unfavorable  symp- 
toms were  allayed,  and  he  began  to  improve. 
When  the  messengers  returned  from  Plymouth, 
bringing  with  them  chickens  and  medicine,  he  was 
so  far  recovered  that  he  did  not  need  the  medicine, 
and  the  chickens  he  concluded  to  keep,  in  order  to 
raise  others. 


INDIAN    CUSTOM.  99 

It  was  customary  among  the  Indians,  when  any- 
one was  sick  with  a  disease  that  was  not  contagious, 
for  all  his  friends  to  visit  him,  as  a  testimony  of 
their  respect  and  sympathy.  So  universally  was  the 
good  prince  of  Pocanoket  esteemed,  that  friends 
came  from  a  distance  of  a  hundred  miles  to  see 
him,  to  whom  he  related  all  the  circumstances  of 
his  illness  ;  how  blind  he  was  ;  how  extremely  low  ; 
how  his  English  friends  visited  him,  nursed  liim, 
administered  medicine,  and  raised  him  up  to  his 
present  degree  of  strength.  In  this  manner,  the 
characteristic  kindness  of  the  Puritans  became  more 
widely  known  among  the  Indians  who  lived  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  colony.  This  served 
to  impress  them  with  the  importance  of  being  on 
friendly  terms  with  the  English,  that  they  might 
receive  similar  favors. 

It  was  stated  at  the  commencement  of  our  ac- 
count of  Massasoit's  sickness,  that  the  colonists 
v/ere  suspicious  that  evil  was  being  plotted  against 
them  by  the  Indians.  Winslow's  visit  to  the  chief 
resulted  in  obtaining  more  full  and  correct  informa- 
tion upon  this  painful  subject.  The  day  previous  to 
his  arrival  there,  a  certain  sachem  was  with  Mas- 
sasoit,  endeavoring  to  prejudice  him  against  the 
English,  and  to  obtain  his  consent  to  measures 
against  them,  which  had  been  recently  devised.  He 
wanted  the  sick  chief  to  unite  with  the  unholy 


100  MASSASOIT'S  DISCLOSURE. 

alliance  which  had  been  formed  for  their  destruction. 
One  of  the  arguments  which  this  wily  sachem  em- 
ployed, was  that  the  English  were  not  interested  for 
the  welfare  of  Massasoit ;  their  friendship  was 
hypocritical.  If  they  really  respected  him,  or  cared 
for  him,  they  would  have  visited  him  in  his  sickness ; 
hut  as  they  had  not,  it  proved  that  all  their  profes- 
sions were  hollow-hearted. 

The  next  day,  Winslow  arrived  as  a  messenger 
from  the  English,  which  disproved  the  false  charges 
of  the  evil-disposed  sachem.  After  his  recovery, 
Massasoit  was  impelled  by  a  sense  of  gratitude  to 
disclose  to  the  English  the  conspiracy  which  had 
been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  extirpating  both 
colonies.  Through  Hobbamock,  he  revealed  that 
the  Massachusetts,  and  the  Indians  of  the  several 
places  now  known  as  Eastham,  Cape  Cod,  Fal- 
mouth,  Barnstable,  Buzzard's  Bay,  Wareham,  and 
Martha's  Vineyard,  had  entered  into  combination  for 
that  object,  and  he  had  been  strongly  urged  to  join, 
but  had  refused  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
murderous  affair.  He  also  advised  the  English,  as 
the  best  course  they  could  pursue,  to  put  to  death 
the  Indians  of  Massachusetts,  who  were  the  authors 
of  this  plot,  and  then  it  would  be  destroyed.  He 
earnestly  charged  them  to  communicate  fully  this 
information  and  advice  to  the  governor. 

As  the  Dutch  ship,  which  had  been  aground,  was 


INTERVIEW    WITH    CORBITANT.  101 

gotten  off,  and  had  left  before  Winslow's  arrival, 
nothing  more  remained  for  him  to  do.  He  there- 
fore departed.  « 

On  his  return,  he  spent  the  night  at  Swansey, 
with  Corbitant,  whom  he  says  he  found  to  be  "  a 
notable  politician,  yet  full  of  merry  jests  and  squibs, 
and  never  better  pleased  than  when  the  like  are 
returned  again  upon  him." 

"  If  I  were  sick,  as  Massasoit  has  been,"  asked 
he,  "  and  should  send  word  to  Plymouth,  would 
Mr.  Governor  send  me  medicine  1 " 

"  Yes." 

"  Would  you  bring  it  to  me  1 " 

"  Certainly,"  said  Winslow. 

At  this  he  was  highly  delighted,  and  expressed 
many  thanks. 

"  How  did  you  dare,"  said  he  again,  "  to  go  so 
far  into  the  country,  being  but  two  of  you  1  " 

"  Because,  where  there  is  true  love,"  answered 
Winslow,  "  there  is  no  fear  ;  and  my  heart  is  so 
upright  towards  the  Indians,  that  I  am  not  in  the 
least  degree  fearful  to  go  among  them." 

"  If  you  love  us  so  much,"  continued  the  shrewd 
Indian,  "how  happens  it  that  when  we  visit  Plym- 
outh you  stand  upon  your  guard,  and  present  the 
mouths  of  your  guns  towards  us  ?  " 

"  Because  that  is  the  most  honorable  reception 
9* 


102  MODE    OF    TEACHING. 

we  can  give  you.  It  is  in  that  way  that  we  salute 
our  most  distinguished  guests." 

Corbitant  shpok  his  head,  as  if  in  doubt,  saying, 
"  I  don't  like  such  salutations." 

Having  noticed,  that  before  their  meals  they 
asked  a  blessing,  and  afterwards  returned  thanks,  he 
asked  them  why  they  did  it.  This  led  to  a  long 
conversation  upon  the  character  and  works  of  the 
Deity  ;  upon  the  relations  which  men  sustain  to 
him  as  their  preserver  and  constant  benefactor,  and 
the  duties  which  they  owe  to  him  as  such,  with 
which  he  and  others  who  were  present  were  pleased. 
When  the  Ten  Commandments  were  repeated,  they 
approved  of  all  except  the  seventh.  They  thought 
there  were  many  objections  to  "  tying  a  man  to  one 
woman."  They  wanted,  as  many  do  at  the  present 
day,  greater  liberty. 

This  is  a  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
Puritans  endeavored  to  communicate  religious  truths 
to  the  minds  of  these  ignorant  and  degraded  sav- 
ages. When  among  them,  they  observed  religious 
services  at  their  meals.  Neither  fear  nor  pride  pre- 
vented them.  They  also  continued  the  practice  of 
morning  and  evening  devotions.  They  strictly  re- 
garded the  Sabbath,  and  when  opportunity  pre- 
sented, especially  by  inquiries  from  the  savages, 
they  imparted,  in  a  familiar  manner,  the  elementary 
truths  of  the  Bible.  As  they  became  better  ac- 


INDIAN    TRADITIONS.  103 

quainted  with  each  other,  and  could  converse  more 
easily,  many  such  conversations  as  the  above  were 
held.  The  truths  and  scriptural  facts  which  were 
in  this  way  imparted  to  a  few,  would  by  them  be 
communicated  to  their  whole  tribe,  and  would  be 
made  topics  of  discussion  among  them.  It  is  not 
improbable,  that  in  this  manner  some  of  the  more 
prominent  truths  of  the  Bible  became  widely  dis- 
seminated among  the  natives  of  the  continent.  As 
those  who  first  learned  them  were  scattered  abroad 
by  war,  or  pestilence,  or  for  want  of  good  hunting 
grounds,  they  would,  in  their  intercourse  with 
others,  give  them  still  wider  diffusion.  After  the 
lapse  of  years,  these  truths  might,  especially  among 
tribes  at  the  greatest  distance  from  the  settlements, 
assume  the  character  of  traditions,  and,  as  such,  bo 
handed  down  to  their  posterity.  Traditions  which 
now  exist  among  some  of  the  Indians  of  the  remotf 
West,  and  which  bear  a  close  analogy  to  Scripture 
history,  may  have  originated  in  this  manner. 

After  spending  the  night  with  Corbitant,  and 
having  hospitable  and  pleasant  entertainment,  thev 
bade  him  adieu,  and  passed  on  towards  Middle- 
borough.  Here  they  spent  the  second  night.  The 

next  day  they  arrived  at  home. 

• 

' 


CHAPTER    TX. 

"  O  Conspiracy  ! 

Sham'Et  thou  to  show  thy  dangerous  brow  by  night, 
When  evils  are  most  free  ?    O,  then,  by  day 
Where  wilt  thou  find  a  cavern  dark  enough 
To  mask  thy  monstrous  visage  ?    Seek  none,  conspiracy  ; 
Hide  it  in  smiles  and  affability."  —  SHAKSPEARE. 

Condition  of  Weston's  Colony.  —  Man  drowned  in  digging  Clams. 

—  Indian  Policy.  —  The  Men  rob  them.  —  Indians  complain.  — 
A  slanderous  Tradition.  —  Butler  perpetuates  it.  —  Its  Origin. — 
Plymouth  not  responsible  for  Weymouth.  —  Consultation  of  the 
two  Colonies. —  Sanders  goes  to  Maine  for  Provisions.  —  Dan- 
gers of  the  English.  — Their  Perils  considered  by  the  Court. — 
Standish  sent  to  Weymouth  to  capture   Indians.  —  His  Instruc- 
tions.—  Insulting   Conduct  of  the  Indians.— Pratt's  providen- 
tial Escape.  —  He  relates  the  wretched  Condition  of  Weymoutb. 

—  Pratt  is  pursued.  —  His  Pursuer  captured  as  a  Spy.  —  Stand- 
ish arrives  at  Weymouth.  —  Makes  known  the  Conspiracy.  — 
The  Captain's  Policy.  —  Indians  pretend  they  know  his  Object. 

—  Their  Insults.  —  The  boasting  of  Indian  Braves. — The  For- 
bearance of  the  Captain. 

THE  planting  of  Weston's  colony  at  Weymouth 
proved  an  unfortunate  affair.  It  was  composed  of 
bad  materials,  and  managed  without  tact,  judgment, 
or  prudence.  The  men  were  indolent,  vicious,  and 
destitute  of  public  spirit.  Their  supplies  were  soon 
exhausted,  and,  by  the  end  of  February,  1623,  they 
were  reduced  to  great  distress.  They  then  degraded 
Themselves  to  become  "  hewers  of  wood  and  car- 
riers of  water"  to  the  Indians,  for  a  meal's  victuals, 


AN   EXECUTION.  105 

when,  with  ordinary  industry,  employed  in  other 
directions,  they  might  have  supplied  themselves  far 
more  abundantly. 

So  reduced  in  strength  had  the  men  become,  in 
consequence  of  the  want  of  food,  that  one  of  them, 
who  was  engaged  in  digging  clams,  sunk  in  the 
mud  ;  and  being  unable  to  extricate  himself,  was 
overwhelmed  by  the  rising  tide,  and  drowned. 

The  Indians  knew  the  weakness  of  the  Wey- 
mouthites,  and,  on  account  of  the  servile  services 
they  had  received  from  them,  they  regarded  them 
with  contempt.  To  reduce  them  to  still  greater 
straits,  they  refused  to  lend  or  sell  them  any  corn, 
beans,  or  bread,  on  any  terms.  The  men  resorted 
to  theft.  When  they  found  any  of  the  hiding- 
places  where  the  Indians  concealed  their  grain,  they 
dug  it  up,  and  appropriated  it  to  their  own  use. 
The  Indians  complained  and  threatened.  To  ap- 
pease them,  some  of  the  criminals  were  whipped 
and  placed  in  the  stocks.  As  this  neither  produced 
amendment,  nor  pacified  the  natives,  more  severe 
measures  were  resorted  to,  and  one  of  them  was 
hung.  A  tradition  has  become  current,  that  at  this 
execution,  a  sick,  feeble,  and  worthless  old  man, 
who  could  have  rendered  no  aid  to  repel  an  attack 
of  the  Indians,  was  substituted  in  the  place  of  the 
criminal,  who  was  a  strong  young  man,  and  might 
be  of  great  service  to  the  colony  in  time  of  war. 


106  BASE  SLANDER- 

AS  the  execution  was  mainly  to  satisfy  the  Indians, 
it  was  argued  that  one  person  would  answer  as  well 
for  that  purpose  as  another,  so  long  as  the  savages 
were  deceived,  which  might  easily  be  effected  by 
dressing  the  innocent  sick  person  in  the  clothes  of 
the  criminal.  The  Indians  would  then  suppose  that 
the  guilty  person  was  on  the  gallows.  Unfortu- 
nately, this  tradition  has  been  widely  circulated,  and 
rendered  immortal  by  Butler,  in  the  following  lines 
of  Hudibras  :  — 

"  Our  brethren  of  New  England  use 
Choice  malefactors  to  excuse, 
And  hang  the  guiltless  in  their  stead, 
Of  whom  the  churches  have  less  need ; 
As  lately  happened." 

It  is  proper  that  this  base  slander  should  be 
denied.  We  have  not  seen  a  particle  of  evidence 
that  such  a  shameful  transaction  ever  took  place. 
The  first  writer  who  alludes  to  it  mentions  it  sim- 
ply as  a  suggestion  that  was  made  at  the  time,  but 
which  was  rejected.  The  nearest  approximation  to 
evidence  of  such  an  occurrence  is  the  statement  of 
Mr.  Hubbard,  that  the  person  executed  was  really 
guilty,  as  were  many  of  the  others ;  "  yet  it  is  pos- 
sible that  justice  might  be  executed,  not  on  him  that 
most  deserved  it,  but  on  him  that  could  best  be 
spared,  or  who  was  not  likely  to  live  long,  if  he 


WEYMOUTHITES    NOT    PURITANS.  107 

had  been  let  alone."  But  even  this  language  does 
not  convey  the  idea,  that  after  one  person  had  been 
convicted,  another  one  was  executed  in  his  stead  ; 
but  only,  that  of  the  many  criminals,  the  most 
guilty  one  might  not  have  been  selected  for  trial  and 
condemnation.  Yet  the  one  who  was  tried  and 
condemned  was  the  one  who  was  executed,  and 
whose  guilt  is  admitted.  But  even  if  it  were  other- 
wise, and  the  unjust  substitution  had  taken  place, 
the  Puritans  are  not  to  be  censured.  They  were 
nowise  connected  with  the  affair,  and  seem  not  to 
have  been  informed  of  it  until  it  was  over,  when  the 
intelligence  was  communicated  by  a  messenger  from 
Weymouth.  The  two  colonies  were  entirely  inde- 
pendent of  each  other.  The  Puritans  at  Plymouth 
were  in  no  sense  responsible  for  the  deeds  of  the 
other  settlement.  Butler  errs  in  calling  them  "  our 
brethren  of  New  England."  They  were  not  Puri- 
tans. We  have  no  evidence  that  they  had  a  church, 
or  that  any  of  them  were  members  of  a  church ; 
and  nothing  that  they  did  should  be  allowed  to 
injure,  in  the  least  degree,  the  reputation  of  the 
Pilgrims. 

When  the  settlers  at  Weymouth  found  it  impos- 
sible to  obtain  any  thing  from  the  Indians  with  their 
consent,  they  resolved  to  supply  their  wants  by 
taking  forcible  possession  of  their  stores.  To  this 
end  they  closed  up  every  entrance  to  their  town, 


108  EVIDENCE    OF    CONSPIRACY. 

except  one,  and  strengthened  the  defences  which 
they  had  built.  Before  entering  upon  their  foraging 
expedition,  which  would  be  equivalent  to  a  declara- 
tion of  war,  they  consulted  with  the  leading  men  at 
Plymouth. 

They  narrated  the  conduct  of  the  Indians,  the 
painful  straits  to  which  the  colony  was  reduced,  and 
the  absolute  necessity  of  their  procuring  supplies. 
They  then  disclosed  their  intended  attack,  and  asked 
their  opinion.  After  giving  the  matter  their  serious 
consideration,  the  Puritans  expressed  the  opinion 
that  the  contemplated  movement  would  be  untimely, 
impolitic,  and  dangerous  ;  that  it  would  be  a  viola- 
tion of  the  law  of  their  king,  and  of  the  law  of 
God  ;  and  they  presented  a  variety  of  forcible  rea- 
sons to  dissuade  them  from  its  execution.  This 
judicious  advice  they  resolved  to  comply  with  for 
the  present.  Their  next  measure  was  to  send  their 
overseer,  Mr.  John  Sanders,  to  the  coast  of  Maine, 
for  provisions.  The  friends  at  Plymouth  supplied 
him  with  com  for  his  voyage,  on  which  he  set  out 
in  the  latter  part  of  February. 

After  his  departure,  additional  evidence  was  dis- 
covered of  the  conspiracy  among  the  Indians.  It 
was  more  fully  divulged  by  some  of  the  Indians 
themselves.  Dangers  thickened  around  the  Eng- 
lish. They  were  so  few  and  weak,  in  comparison 
with  the  neighboring  tribes,  that  if  there  had  been  a 


PLAN    TO    SUPPRESS    IT.  109 

sudden,  simultaneous,  and  courageous  attack,  on  the 
part  of  the  savages  who  had  joined  the  plot,  they 
would  easily  have  annihilated  both  settlements. 
This  the  English  knew.  They  were  aware,  also, 
that  no  time  was  to  be  lost ;  that  whilst  they  were 
deliberating,  the  war  whoop  might  ring  in  their  ears, 
and  their  hearth  fires  be  quenched  in  blood.  At 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Court,  which 
soon  occurred,  the  whole  subject  was  submitted  by 
the  governor  to  that  body.  They  referred  it  to  the 
governor,  his  assistant,  and  the  captain,  with  such 
others  as  they  might  be  disposed  to  consult.  This 
committee  were  empowered  to  devise  and  execute 
such  measures  as  the  exigency  seemed  to  them  to 
demand.  The  conclusion  to  which  this  committee 
came  was,  that  Captain  Standish  should  take  as 
many  men  as  he  thought  necessary  for  the  purpose, 
and  proceed  to  the  Massachusetts,  ostensibly  for 
trade.  After  making  Weston's  colony  acquainted 
with  the  bloody  conspiracy  wliich  had  been  formed 
against  the  English,  and  the  real  object  of  this  visit, 
Standish  was  then  to  open  trade  with  the  Indians, 
and  carefully  observe  all  their  demeanor ;  but  he 
was  to  avoid,  if  possible,  an  actual  collision,  until 
an  Indian  by  the  name  of  Wituwamat  was  in  his 
power,  whom  he  was  to  kill,  and  then  send  his 
head  to  Plymouth.  This  fellow  was  selected  as  a 
victim,  because  he  was  a  notorious,  insulting  villain, 
10 


110  WITUWAMAT    DOOMED. 

whose  conduct  had  previously  been  extremely  aggra- 
vating. He  had  boasted  in  a  pompous  and  irritating 
manner  of  having  shed  the  blood  of  both  English 
and  French,  whom  he  derided  for  want  of  courage, 
saying  that  "  they  died  crying,  making  sour  faces, 
more  like  children  than  men."  On  a  former  occa- 
sion, when  Captain  Standish  was  at  Manomet,  this 
fellow  endeavored  to  persuade  Canacum,  the  sachem 
of  that  place,  to  destroy  him,  as  he  then  had  a  fair 
opportunity,  stating  to  him  that  the  Massachusetts, 
in  order  to  secure  their  own  preservation,  had  com- 
bined to  cut  off  Weston's  colony,  but  had  con- 
cluded to  delay  until  they  were  strong  enough  to 
destroy  Plymouth  also.  As  he  now  had  the  cap- 
tain in  his  power,  it  was  a  good  time  to  put  him 
and  his  company  out  of  the  way. 

In  consequence  of  his  known  emhity  to  the  colo- 
nists, and  of  the  threats  which  he  had  used,  it  was 
considered  important  to  the  safety  of  the  settlers 
that  he  should  be  slain.  Hence  the  instructions  to 
the  captain  to  avoid  an  attack  until  Wituwamat  was 
in  his  power. 

The  captain  took  only  eight  men  with  him  on 
this  perilous  expedition.  He  thought  that  a  larger 
number  would  excite  suspicion  among  the  Indians 
of  their  conspiracy  being  detected.  Before  he  set 
out,  a  messenger  by  the  name  of  Pratt  arrived  at 
Plymouth,  from  Weston's  plantation,  with  a  pack 


ABUSIVE    INDIANS.  Ill 

oa  his  shoulders,  bringing  information  that  the  state 
of  things  there  was  worse  than  ever.  The  men 
were  reduced  to  the  extremes  of  poverty,  having 
been  obliged  to  sell  their  clothes  for  food,  and  now, 
being  unable  to  go  in  pursuit  of  food  on  account  of 
their  nakedness,  they  were  perishing  from  cold  and 
famine.  If  at  any  time  they  obtained  victuals,  the 
Indians  were  so  strong  and  bold  that  they  would 
enter  their  houses,  take  it  from  the  pot  where  it  was 
l>eing  cooked,  and  in  a  tantalizing  manner  would  eat 
it  before  their  eyes.  If  they  remonstrated,  the  sav- 
ages would  put  a  knife  to  their  breasts  and  threaten 

O  JT 

their  lives.  One  of  the  colonists  had  abandoned  his 
companions  and  turned  savage  ;  the  most  of  the 
people  had  forsaken  the  town,  and  made  their  ren- 
dezvous wherever  they  happened  to  find  food.  They 
had  separated  into  three  companies,  very  few  of 
them  having  any  powder  or  shot  with  which  to  pro- 
cure game  or  defend  themselves  if  attacked.  What 
would  be  the  ultimate  result  he  knew  not.  Being 
afraid  to  tarry  there  any  longer,  he  had  set  out,  al- 
though he  knew  not  the  way,  to  come  to  Plymouth 
and  ask  the  privilege  of  remaining  there  till  affairs 
became  more  settled. 

Soon  after  this  man  had  left  the  Massachusetts,  at 
Weymouth,  the  Indians  missed  him,  and  suspecting 
that  he  had  gone  to  Plymouth,  they  immediately 
sent  a  messenger  in  pursuit  of  him,  probably  with 


112  PRATT'S  ESCAPE. 

orders  to  put  him  to  death  ;  as  they  expressed  the 
opinion  he  would  never  reach  Plymouth,  but  would 
be  devoured  by  wild  beasts  on  the  journey.  Guided 
by  a  kind  Providence,  Pratt  lost  his  way ;  so  that 
the  Indian  in  pursuit,  who  took  the  usual  route, 
missed  him,  and  thus  his  life  was  saved.  The  In- 
dian passed  by  Plymouth  on  his  way  to  Buzzard's 
Bay.  When  he  returned  he  stopped  there,  pretend- 
ing to  make  a  friendly  call,  but  in  reality  to  observe 
their  condition,  and  see  whether  they  were  reduced 
to  the  poverty  and  helplessness  of  Weston's  people, 
which  he  hoped  was  the  case ;  the  intelligence  of 
which,  he  knew  would  be  glad  tidings  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts. The  governor  immediately  arrested  him, 
and  kept  him  a  prisoner.  He  was  sent  to  the  fort 
and  chained  to  a  staple,  where  he  was  informed  he 
must  remain  under  guard  until  Standish  returned 
from  his  expedition  against  his  tribe.  This  must 
have  been  evil  tidings  to  the  poor  captive  spy,  who 
knew  that  his  own  people  were  only  waiting  for  a 
favorable  opportunity  to  pounce  upon  the  colony 
like  a  vulture  upon  its  prey,  and  who,  by  his  present 
captivity,  had  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  their 
conspiracy  was  detected,  and  would  be  punished. 

After  Pratt's  relation,  Standish,  with  his  small 
company,  proceeded  to  Weymouth  with  all  speed. 
When  they  arrived,  seeing  the  ship  which  was  con- 
nected with  the  colony  in  the  harbor,  they  went  on 


STANDISH    AT    WEYMOUTH.  US 

board  to  have  some  consultation  as  to  the  best 
measures  to  be  adopted  with  reference  to  the  ap- 
proaching crisis.  Finding  no  one  on  deck,  they 
entered  the  cabin.  No  one  was  there  !  They  ex- 
amined other  parts  of  the  vessel,  and  to  their  great 
surprise  found  it  entirely  forsaken  —  not  even  one 
person  left  as  guard.  What  did  it  mean  1  Had  the 
crew  been  slain  by  the  Indians  since  Pratt  left  1 
Appearances  did  not  favor  such  a  conclusion.  No 
weapons  were  about,  as  if  left  in  haste  ;  no  marks 
of  blood  were  seen.  Had  they  then  been  seized 
and  taken  into  captivity  ?  To  ascertain  whether 
they  were  in  the  neighborhood,  one  of  the  men  on 
board  fired  a  musket.  Immediately  the  overseer 
and  several  of  his  companions  presented  themselves 
upon  the  shore.  They  were  there  for  the  purpose 
of  gathering  ground  nuts  and  other  articles  to  eat. 
After  salutations  were  exchanged,  Captain  Standish 
asked,  — 

"  How  do  you  dare  to  leave  your  ship,  and  live  in 
so  much  security  1  " 

"  O,"  replied  they,  utterly  insensible  of  their  per- 
ilous condition,  "  we  have  no  fear  of  the  Indians, 
but  live  with  them  and  suffer  them  to  lodge  with  us, 
without  our  having  a  gun  or  sword,  or  even  needing 
one." 

"  Well,  well,"  said  Standish,   "  if  you  have  no  oc- 
casion for  vigilance,  so  much  the  better.     But  where 
10* 


114  ADVICE    OF     STANDISH. 

t 

are  those  whom  Mr.  Sanders  left  in  charge  of  affairs 
during  his  absence  1 " 

"  They  are  at  the  plantation."  Thither  the  cap- 
tain went.  He  informed  them  of  the  Indian  con- 
spiracy, and  that  the  object  of  his  visit  was  to  cut 
off  the  ringleaders.  He  also  invited  them,  if  they 
were  so  disposed,  to  reside  at  Plymouth,  until  this 
dark  cloud  had  passed  away,  and  they  were  placed 
in  circumstances  more  favorable  to  their  prosperity. 
But  if  they  thought  it  advisable  to  pursue  any  other 
course,  he  would  assist  them  to  the  extent  of  his 
ability.  The  men  now  had  their  eyes  opened. 
They  were  surprised  at  their  own  previous  blind- 
ness. They  could  call  to  recollection  various  cir- 
cumstances which  had  occurred  in  their  intercourse 
with  the  natives,  which  were  in  keeping  with  the 
conspiracy.  They  acknowledged  that  it  was  all  of 
divine  mercy  that  they  had  not  been  slain  before  the 
captain's  arrival.  They  desired  that  he  would  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  object. 
He  enjoined  upon  them  the  observance  of  the 
greatest  secrecy,  that  the  Indians  might  not  discover 
their  intentions. 

He  also  advised  them  to  send  orders  to  that  third 
of  the  company  who  were  at  the  greatest  distance 
from  the  plantation  to  return,  and,  on  pain  of  death, 
to  keep  the  town,  promising  to  supply,  from  his  own 
stores,  each  man  with  a  pint  of  corn  a  day.  Some 


SUSPICION    OF    THE    INDIANS.  115 

time  elapsed  before  any  active  measures  were 
adopted,  in  consequence  of  storms  and  rain.  Dur- 
ing this  delay,  an  Indian  visited  the  plantation, 
bringing  some  skins,  professedly  to  trade.  In  reality 
he  was  a  spy,  whose  object  it  was  to  obtain,  in  a 
covert  manner,  what  information  he  could  respecting 
the  suspicions  and  plans  of  the  English.  The  cap- 
tain endeavored  to  appear  perfectly  friendly  and  un- 
suspecting, yet  when  the  spy  returned,  he  reported 
that  he  saw  from  the  captain's  eyes  that  there  was 
anger  in  his  heart.  The  Indians,  therefore,  thought 
that  their  conspiracy  was  detected.  But,  instead  of 
retreating  beyond  the  reach  of  the  English,  until 
their  arrangements  with  the  other  tribes  were  con- 
summated, they  put  on  a  bold  front,  visited  the  plan- 
tation frequently,  and  even  expressed  the  belief  to 
them  that  their  object  was  to  slay  them.  One  of 
their  braves,  whose  name  was  Pecksuot,  a  man  of 
courage,  but  at  the  same  time  a  braggadocio,  went 
to  Hobbamock,  who  was  with  Standish  as  his  inter- 
preter, and  told  him  that  he  had  been  informed  that 
the  captain  had  come  to  "  kill  himself  and  the  rest 
of  the  salvages."  "  Tell  him,"  said  he,  "  we  know 
it,  but  we  neither  fear  him,  nor  will  we  shun  him  ; 
let  him  attack  us  when  he  pleases,  he  shall  not  take 
us  by  surprise."  These  were  courageous  words  for 
one  who  had  reason  to  believe  that  his  plots  were 
discovered.  He  was  probably  emboldened  by  his 


H6  INDIAN    BOASTING. 

confidence  in  the  success  of  the  conspiracy.  The 
Indians  who  had  entered  into  the  alliance  were  so 
numerous,  and  the  colonists  so  few  and  feeble,  that 
success  seemed  to  them  almost  a  certainty.  Hence, 
these  insulting  savages  would  sometimes  come  to  the 
plantation  alone,  or  several  together,  and,  placing 
themselves  in  the  presence  of  the  captain,  would 
whet  their  knives,  sharpen  their  points,  and  make 
various  gestures  and  speeches  of  an  insulting  nature, 
as  if  on  purpose  to  irritate  him  to  some  deed  of 
blood.  Wituwamat  was  not  wanting  on  these  occa- 
sions. He  boasted  of  the  fine  qualities  of  his  knife, 
on  the  handle  of  which  was  pictured  a  woman's  face  ; 
"  but,"  said  he,  "  I  have  another  at  home  with  which 
I  have  killed  both  French  and  English,  and  that  hath 
a  man's  face  on  it ;  and  by  and  by  these  two  must 
marry."  Not  long  after,  when  speaking  of  the  knife 
he  then  had,  he  said,  "  By  and  by  this  shall  see,  and 
by  and  by  it  shall  eat,  but  not  speak ; "  as  if  alluding 
to  some  intended  murder  which  his  knife  would  com- 
mit silently,  whilst  the  muskets  of  the  English  always 
reported  their  doings.  Pecksuot  was  a  man  of  large 
size  and  great  muscular  strength,  while  Standish  was 
comparatively  small.  On  one  occasion  he  said  to 
Standish,  — 

"  You  are  a  great  officer,  but  a  little  man ;  and 
though  I  am  no  sachem,  yet  I  am  a  courageous  man, 
and  pOMess  great  strength." 


BEADY    FOR    ACTION.  117 

All  these  things  the  captain  endured  with  much 
forbearance.  His  determination  was  fixed,  and  his 
plans  formed  ;  he  was  only  waiting  a  suitable  oppor- 
tunity for  their  execution.  He  wisely  resolved  that 
no  insults  of  the  savages  should  betray  him  into  pre- 
mature movements.  Like  the  lion,  with  his  eye 
fixed  upon  his  prey,  he  calmly  waited  for  a  favorable 
moment  of  attack.  It  was  not  long  before  this 
arrived. 


,.  •   ; 


• 

:.,»». 

CHAPTER    X. 

"  See,  his  face  is  black  and  full  of  blood ; 
His  eyeballs  farther  out  than  when  he  lived  ; 
Staring  full  ghastly,  like  a  strangled  man  ; 
His  hair  upreared,  his  nostrils  stretched  with  struggling ; 
His  hands  abroad  displayed,  as  one  that  grasped 
And  tugged  for  life,  and  was  by  strength  subdued."  —  SHAKSPEARE. 

A  silent,  but  fearful  Massacre. —  Hobbaniock  compliments  Stand- 
ish. — Women  held  Captives.  —  An  Indian  escapes. — Three 
Englishmen  among  the  Indians.  —  The  Indians  haste  away  at 
Midnight.  —  They  meet  Standish  and  his  Men.  —  A  Skirmish.  — 
The  Indians  defeated.  —  Hobbamock's  Bravery.  —  The  Indian 
Women  released  uninjured.  —  The  Puritans  responsible  for  the 
Massacre.  —  Their  Apology.  —  A  young  Indian's  Confession. — 
Standish  returns,  taking  an  Indian's  Head.  —  The  captured  Spy 
recognizes  it.  —  The  Spy  released  and  sent  as  a  Messenger.  — 
A  Squaw  brings  back  an  Answer.  —  The  three  Englishmen 
killed.  —  The  Terror  of  the  Natives.  —  They  attempt  to  send  a 
Peace-offering  to  the  Governor.  —  The  Boat  is  wrecked.  — 
Robinson's  Letter. 

ON  the  day  following  the  conversation  which  we 
gave  at  the  close  of  the  last  chapter,  a  combination 
of  circumstances  seemed  to  indicate  to  Standish 
that  the  favorable  moment  for  the  execution  of  his 
plans  had  arrived.  Pecksuot,  Wituwamat,  with 
another  Indian,  and  a  young  villain  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  brother  to  Wituwamat,  who  had 
played  many  scurrilous  tricks  upon  the  more  feeble 
of  the  colonists,  were  together  in  one  house ;  there 
were  also  present  about  the  same  number  of  the 


A   FEARFUL    MASSACRE.  119 

English,  with  Hobbamock.  The  door  being  made 
fast,  Standish  gave  the  signal  for  the  dreadful  work 
of  death  to  be  commenced.  Each  man  chose  his 
victim,  and  the  fearful  struggle  began.  Standish 
selected  the  insulting  braggadocio,  Pecksuot,  and 
snatching  the  knife  from  his  neck,  which  he  had 
impudently  sharpened  in  the  captain's  presence,  he 
plunged  it  in  his  heart's  blood  !  One  blow  was  not 
sufficient.  The  Indian  resisted.  He  was  wounded 
again ;  he  endeavored  to  recover  ;  his  eyes  glared  ; 
he  snatched  violently  after  his  knife,  but  failed  to 
get  it ;  he  fought  with  the  energy  of  despair  :  the 
struggle  was  terrific,  but  brief.  In  a  few  minutes, 
the  boastful  warrior  ceased  to  breathe.  He  had 
whetted  his  knife  for  his  own  death.  At  the  same 
time,  similar  conflicts  were  in  progress  between 
Wituwamat  and  an  Englishman,  and  the  other  In- 
dian and  a  colonist.  They  knew  that  all  flight  was 
impossible.  There  was  no  quarter  asked  nor 
offered ;  one  of  each  couple  must  die ;  one  or  the 
other  party  must  be  exterminated.  They  fought 
with  desperation  to  the  very  last.  There  were  no 
shrieks,  no  cries,  no  war  whoops ;  nothing  but  a 
deadly  struggle.  Their  silence  rendered  the  contest 
more  awful.  A  shriek  would  have  been  a  relief. 
In  a  few  minutes,  all  the  savages  were  dead  except 
the  youth.  He  was  reserved  to  be  hanged.  During 
all  this  time,  Hobbamock  was  a  silent  spectator  of 


120  OTHER    MURDERS. 

the  tragic  scene.  He  took  no  part  with  either. 
After  it  was  all  over,  he  said  to  Standish,  whilst  a 
smile  played  over  his  features,  "  Yesterday,  Peck- 
suot,  bragging  of  his  own  strength  and  stature,  said, 
though  you  were  a  great  captain,  yet  you  were  but 
a  little  man  ;  but  to-day,  I  see  you  are  big  enough 
to  lay  him  on  the  ground."  But  Standish  desired 
not  his  praise  ;  he  was  intent  upon  the  overthrow 
of  the  conspirators.  Some  Indian  women  who 
were  at  Weymouth  he  committed  to  the  custody  of 
Weston's  people,  for  safe  keeping  till  further  orders. 
He  then  sent  a  messenger  to  another  company  of 
the  men,  with  instructions  for  them  to  kill  all  -the 
Indians  who  were  with  them.  They  slew  two. 
Standish  and  a  few  others  went  to  another  place, 
and  killed  one  more.  It  was  the  captain's  design  to 
have  kept  all  this  concealed  from  the  natives  ;  but 
his  purpose  was  defeated,  through  the  negligence  of 
one  of  the  men  in  suffering  an  Indian  to  escape, 
who  immediately  disclosed  these  massacres  to  the 
tribe. 

A  short  time  previous  to  this  tragic  adventure, 
three  of  Weston's  men  had  gone  and  offered  to 
build  canoes  for  the  sachem  of  one  of  the  tribes  in 
the  neighborhood,  where  they  had  formerly  been 
well  fed,  when  performing  similar  service.  The 
first  night  of  their  arrival,  at  a  late  hour,  a  messen- 
ger came,  almost  breathless,  perhaps  the  one  who 


MIDNIGHT   EXPEDITION.  121 

had  escaped  from  Weymouth,  who  delivered,  in  his 
own  language,  a  short  message.  What  it  was,  the 
Englishmen  knew  not.  That  it  was  of  great  im- 
portance, was  evident  from  the  conduct  of  the 
Indians  ;  for  no  sooner  was  it  delivered,  than  a 
general  excitement  was  produced.  The  Indians 
arose,  hastily  dressed  themselves,  seized  their  bows 
and  arrows,  gathered  together  for  a  few  moments' 
consultation,  and  then,  telling  the  English  that  they 
were  going  a  hunting,  and  would  return  with  plenty 
of  venison,  they  hastily  departed. 

The  oldest  and  most  experienced  Englishmen 
present  thought  that  this  midnight  manoeuvre  au- 
gured nothing  good.  Viewing  this  conduct  of  the 
Indians  in  connection  with  the  strict  charge  of 
Standish,  that  none  of  the  men  should  leave  the 
plantation,  he  feared  that  a  collision  had,  or  would 
soon  ensue.  He  proposed  to  his  companions  to 
return.  They  unwisely  refused.  He  set  out,  there- 
fore, alone.  To  avoid  discovery,  in  case  of  pursuit, 
he  shunned  the  paths,  and  groped  his  way  in  the 
darkness,  through  the  unbroken  fields  and  forests, 
by  which  means  he  successfully  escaped. 

After  the  massacre  at  Weymouth,  the  captain 
took  half  of  his  own  men,  with  one  or  two  of  Wes- 
ton's  party  and  Hobbamock,  and  went  forth  to 
plunder  the  Indians.  After  marching  some  dis- 
tance, they  met  a  party  of  the  natives  coming 
11 


122  A    SKIRMISH. 

towards  them  —  probably  those  who  had  left  home 
so  suddenly  at  night.  Each  regarded  the  other  as 
on  a  belligerent  expedition.  A  hill  being  near,  the 
possession  of  which  would  give  advantage  in  the 
fight,  both  parties  endeavored  to  obtain  it.  Stand- 
ish was  successful.  The  Indians  then  ran,  accord- 
ing to  their  usual  custom,  and,  concealing  them- 
selves behind  trees,  rocks,  and  bushes,  let  fly  a 
shower  of  arrows,  aimed  especially  at  Standish  and 
Hobbamock.  The  combativeness  of  Hobbamock 
was  now  excited.  He  threw  off  his  coat,  and 
dashed  in  among  them  with  great  bravery.  The 
savages,  knowing  him,  retreated.  Hobbamock  pur- 
sued. The  English  could  not  keep  up  with  him. 
These  latter,  seeing  the  ami  and  half  of  a  face  of 
a  notorious  character  in  the  act  of  drawing  his 
bow  at  Captain  Standish,  two  of  them  fired  at  him, 
and  broke  his  exposed  arm.  The  Indians  retreated 
to  a  swamp.  The  captain  endeavored  to  hold  a 
parley  with  them.  They  returned  insulting  lan- 
guage. He  then  challenged  the  sachem  to  show 
himself  and  fight  openly  like  a  man,  and  not  get 
behind  trees,  and  use  hard  words,  like  a  cowardly 
squaw.  His  challenge  and  ridicule  were  alike  un- 
heeded. The  sachem  and  his  men  fled,  leaving  the 
English  victorious.  The  captain  then  returned  to 
Weymouth.  The  Indian  women  who  were  there 
he  released  without  any  injury.  He  would  not  even 


STANDISH    NO    PURITAN. 

allow  the  men  to  take  from  them  their  beaver  gar- 
ments, nor  in  any  way  to  insult  them.  We  cannot 
but  admire  his  scrupulous  regard  for  the  helpless- 
ness and  delicacy  of  the  female  sex. 

In  order  to  screen  the  Puritans  from  the  respon- 
sibility of  this  massacre  of  the  Indians  at  Wey- 
mouth,  it  will  not  do  to  say  that  Standish  was  not  a 
member  of  the  church,  and,  therefore,  was  no  more 
of  a  Puritan  than  the  men  of  Weston's  colony ; 
that  he  was  merely  a  military  officer,  and  in  this 
campaign  against  the  enemy,  was  governed  by  ordi- 
nary military  usages  ;  for,  admitting  that  all  this 
was  true,  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  he  had  re- 
ceived special  instructions  from  the  proper  authori- 
ties at  Plymouth  how  to  proceed,  and  had  simply 
executed  those  instructions.  He  was  their  servant, 
and  had  done  their  bidding ;  they  were,  therefore, 
responsible  for  his  deeds. 

The  best  justification  of  the  act  must  be  based 
upon  the  perilous  condition  in  which  the  English 
were  then  placed.  They  knew  their  own  weakness  ; 
they  were  aware  of  the  existence  of  a  powerful 
conspiracy  against  them ;  they  had  received  intelli- 
gence of  the  dreadful  massacre  by  the  Indians  in 
Virginia.  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  The  savages 
might  come  down  upon  them  with  the  suddenness 
and  terribleness  of  an  Alpine  avalanche.  It  ap- 
peared to  them  essential  to  their  safety,  that  they 


124  INDIAN    CONFESSION. 

should  take  the  initiative  in  the  approaching  con- 
flict ;  that  by  some  bold  and  severe  stroke,  they 
should  send  terror  among  the  Indians  before  they 
were  generally  aware  of  the  discovery  of  their  con- 
spiracy. In  forming  our  opinion  of  the  morality 
of  their  conduct  in  this  trying  crisis,  we  must  have 
some  regard  to  the  sentiments  which  generally  pre- 
vailed among  Christian  people  at  that  time,  respect- 
ing the  lawfulness  of  defensive  war. 

After  the  massacre,  a  young  Indian,  who  was  of  a 
mild,  amiable,  and  confiding  disposition,  although  he 
knew  of  the  death  of  his  countrymen,  came  fear- 
lessly to  the  captain,  professing  love  and  good  will, 
and  honestly  confessed  that  the  Indians  had  resolved 
to  murder  Weston's  colony  so  soon  as  two  more 
canoes  were  finished,  which  Weston's  men  were 
making  for  them  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak,  and 
with  which  they  intended  to  have  taken  their  ships. 

Weston's  people  were  now  thoroughly  tired  of 
the  new  settlement.  It  had  proved  a  failure,  and 
they  were  resolved  to  abandon  it.  Some  of  them 
were  desirous  of  going  to  the  coast  of  Maine,  with 
the  hope  of  finding  a  passage  to  England  in  some 
of  the  fishermen  which  resorted  there.  Standish 
furnished  them  with  corn  to  reach  the  coast,  which 
so  reduced  the  little  quantity  he  had,  as  to  leave 
him  hardly  enough  to  last  till  he  could  return  home. 
Others  of  them  preferred  to  go  with  him  to  Plyrn- 


WEYMOUTH    ABANDONED.  125 

outh,  as  they  did  not  want  to  associate  with  those 
who  were  going  to  Maine.  After  the  former  party 
had  sailed  and  cleared  the  bay,  Standish  took  the 
others  in  his  shallop  and  returned  victoriously  to 
Plymouth,  where  he  was  received  with  great  joy. 

He  did  not  fail  to  obey  the  command  of  the  gov- 
ernor to  bring  back  with  him  the  head  of  one  of  the 
prominent  conspirators.  As  an  object  of  terror  to 
the  Indians,  it  was  set  up  in  a  conspicuous  place  in 
the  fort. 

The  Indian  who  pursued  Pratt,  but  failed  of  over- 
taking liim,  was  left,  it  will  be  remembered,  a  pris- 
oner at  Plymouth.  When  the  bloody  trophy  of  the 
captain  was  shown  him,  he  was  asked  if  he  knew 
whose  head  it  was.  He  looked  mournfully  upon  it, 
and  said,  "Yes;  it  is  Wituwamat's."  He  also  con- 
fessed the  conspiracy,  and  said  that  his  cliief  was 
urged  to  it  by  his  men,  among  whom  five  were  more 
urgent  in  pressing  him  into  it  than  the  others,  two 
of  whom,  Pecksuot  and  Wituwamat,  were  slain. 
The  other  three  were  medicine  men,  or  conjurors. 
He  denied  being  implicated  in  it  himself.  He  said 
he  did  not  belong  to  their  tribe,  but  was  a  stranger 
among  them,  and  earnestly  entreated  the  colonists 
not  to  put  him  to  death.  Hobbamock  interceded  for 
him,  and  gave  liim  a  good  character,  though  it  after- 
wards appeared  that  he  was  induced  so  to  do  by  the 
influence  of  a  bribe. 
11* 


A    MESSAGE    TO    OBTAKIEST. 

The  Puritans  were  not  revengeful.  The  shedding 
of  blood  afforded  them  no  pleasure.  Hence  they 
had  no  disposition  to  execute  the  unfortunate  native 
who  was  now  in  their  power.  Having  recently  been 
so  victorious,  they  could  afford  now  to  be  generous. 
Besides,  by  sparing  his  life  and  sending  him  home, 
they  could  forward  a  message  to  his  chief  which 
might  prevent  the  necessity  of  further  bloodshed. 
He  was  accordingly  released  and  brought  before  the 
governor,  who  charged  him,  through  Hobbamock, 
the  interpreter,  to  say  to  Obtakiest,  the  chief  of  the 
Massachusetts  Indians,  that  the  Puritans  would  not 
have  attacked  them  if  they  had  not  been  compelled 
to  by  their  own  treachery,  and  therefore  the  conspir- 
ators were  to  blame ;  that  if  he  entered  into  another 
similar  plot,  they  would  drive  him  from  his  country, 
and  utterly  extirpate  his  tribe  ;  of  this  he  was  now 
fairly  warned  ;  and  also  that  he  must  send  back  the 
three  Englishmen  he  had,  and  not  slay  them  ;  that 
he  must  not  injure  what  is  left  of  the  plantation  at 
Weymouth  ;  and  that  this  messenger  must  come  back 
with  the  English,  or  with  an  answer,  or  with  both, 
and  they  would  guaranty  him  a  safe  return.  They 
then  gave  him  his  liberty.  For  a  long  time  nothing 
was  heard  from  the  chief  in  reply  to  this  message, 
nor  from  the  captive  English.  Finally,  an  Indian 
woman  entered  Plymouth,  and  informed  them  that 
Obtakiest  had  received  the  message,  but  that  it  came 


THE    REPLY.  127 

too  late  to  save  the  lives  of  the  Englisn  ;  he  ex- 
pressed great  regret  on  this  account,  as  he  would  have 
sent  them  back  if  they  had  been  living.  She  also 
said,  that  he  desired  reconciliation  with  the  English, 
but  that  his  men  were  too  fearful  to  come  to  Plym- 
outh to  negotiate  a  treaty  ;  and  that  Obtakiest  him- 
self was  so  apprehensive  of  a  sudden  attack  of  the 
English,  that  he  had  no  certain  dwelling-place,  but 
changed  his  encampment  daily  to  avoid  discovery. 

This  sudden  and  successful  attack  of  Standish 
struck  such  terror  into  the  Indians,  as  completely  to 
arrest  the  execution  of  their  conspiracy.  So  panic- 
stricken  were  they,  that  they  abandoned  their  own 
dwellings  and  fled  hither  and  thither,  in  woods, 
swamps,  and  other  unfrequented  places,  as  if  they 
thought  the  whole  English  colony  were  in  close  pur- 
suit. By  their  exposures  during  these  nights,  they 
caught  various  diseases,  of  which  many  of  them  died, 
among  whom  were  Canacum,  Aspinet  and  lanough, 
the  sachems  of  Buzzard's  Bay,  Eastham,  and  Barn- 
stable.  They  had  not  courage  even  to  plant  their 
usual  amount  of  corn,  on  which  they  were  greatly 
dependent  for  food.  At  last  the  natives  of  one  place 
ventured  to  man  a  small  boat,  and  load  it  with 
presents,  as  a  kind  of  peace-offering  to  the  governor. 
On  its  voyage  to  the  colony  it  was  wrecked,  and 
three  of  the  men  were  lost.  The  only  one  who 
escaped  did  not  dare  to  proceed  to  Plymouth,  but 
returned.  It  is  not  unl  kely  that  this  catastrophe 


128  ROBINSON'S  LETTER. 

was  interpreted  by  the  Indians  as  unfavorable  to 
themselves ;  for  lanough  had  given  out  that  the 
God  of  the  English  was  angry  with  the  Indians,  and 
was  determined  to  destroy  them.  It  would  have 
been,  therefore,  very  natural  for  them,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  their  superstitious  fears,  to  have  construed 
this  disaster  into  an  illustration  of  the  truth  of 
lanough's  prediction. 

The  Puritans  kept  their  friends  in  England  in- 
formed as  fully  as  they  could  of  the  history  of  the 
colony.  The  conspiracy  and  its  suppression,  being 
important  events,  had  a  prominent  place  in  their 
correspondence.  When  Mr.  Robinson,  their  pastor 
at  Leyden,  who  had  commended  them  to  God  in 
earnest  prayer,  at  the  time  of  their  departure  from 
Delf  Haven,  heard  of  the  slaughter  of  the  Indians, 
his  benevolent  heart  was  painfully  affected.  He 
wrote  a  letter  to  the  church  at  Plymouth,  in  which 
he  exhorted  them  to  consider  the  disposition  of  their 
captain,  who  was  of  a  warm  temper.  "  He  hoped 
that  the  Lord  had  sent  him  among  them  for  good,  if 
they  used  him  right,"  but  at  the  same  time  expressed 
the  fear  that  he  may  be  wanting  "  in  that  tenderness 
of  the  life  of  man,  made  after  God's  image,  which 
was  meet."  The  overflowing  benevolence  of  his 
soul  burst  forth  in  that  memorable  passage :  "  O, 
how  happy  a  thing  had  it  been,  that  you  had  con- 
verted some  before  you  killed  any  !  " 


CHAPTER    XI. 

"  With  humble  prayer  and  fasting, 

In  every  strait  and  grief, 
They  sought  the  Everlasting, 

And  found  a  sure  relief. 
Their  covenant-God  o'ershadowed  them, 

Their  shield  from  every  foe, 
And  gave  them  here  a  dwelling-place 

Two  hundred  years  ago."  —  RET.  DR.  FLINT. 

The  Conspiracy  checked.  —  Arrival  of  a  Blacksmith  in  disguise.  — 
Who  he  is.  —  He  hears  unwelcome  News.  —  He  sails  for  Wey- 
mouth.  —  Is  cast  away  and  robbed.  —  Kindness  of  the  Puritans. 

—  Repaid  with  Ingratitude.  —  The  Puritans  without  a  Charter.  — 
The  Advantage  of  it.  —  Their  first  Patent.  —  The  Ambition  of 
John  Pierce.  —  Is   disappointed.  —  Arrival  of  more  Immigrants 
and  Stores.  —  The  Distress  of  the  Colony.  —  Admiral  West.  — 
Cannot  subdue  the  Fishermen.  —  Community  of  Goods  aban- 
doned. —  Self- Dependence.  —  Its  Results.  —  The  five  Kernels  of 
Corn.  —  No  Bread  !  —  Patience  of  the  Sufferers.  —  Long  Drought. 

—  Day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer.  —  Refreshing  Showers.  —  Effect 
upon  the  Natives. 

So  successful  were  the  measures  of  Standish  at 
Weymouth  in  intimidating  the  Indians,  that  no  other 
attempt  was  made  against  the  Plymouth  colony  for 
half  a  century.  During  this  long  period  of  quiet, 
the  little  settlement  at  Plymouth  attained  to  some 
degree  of  maturity. 

A  short  time  after  the  return  of  Standish,  and  the 
abandonment  of  the  plantation  at  Weymouth,  a  fish- 
ing vessel  entered  the  harbor  of  Plymouth.  A  boat 


130  A    PSEUDO-BLACKSMITH. 

put  off  to  the  shore,  bringing  an  Englishman,  who 
pretended  to  be  a  blacksmith.  He  went  among  the 
colonists,  inquiring  about  work,  but  at  the  same  time 
asking  many  questions  respecting  the  history  and 
prospects  of  Weston's  colony.  He  was  informed  of 
the  conspiracy,  of  the  massacre,  and  of  the  total 
abandonment  of  the  place.  This  stranger  was 
Weston  himself  in  disguise  !  The  intelligence  he 
received  fell  upon  his  ear  like  the  death-knell  of  his 
high  hopes.  The  experiment  of  that  plantation  hav- 
ing involved  a  heavy  expenditure,  he  was  anxious  to 
see  if  something  had  not  been  gained.  At  any  rate, 
he  wished  to  know  the  worst.  He  therefore  took  a 
shallop  with  two  or  three  men,  and  set  out  to  visit  it. 
A  heavy  storm  arose,  which  drove  him  from  his 
course  towards  the  Merrimac,  where  he  was  wrecked, 
and  with  difficulty  escaped  with  his  life.  To  com- 
plete his  misfortunes,  he  was  soon  discovered  by  the 
Indians,  who  robbed  him  of  all  he  had  saved  from 
the  shallop,  and  stripped  him  of  his  clothes,  even  to 
his  shirt.  In  this  distressed  condition  he  managed 
to  reach  Portsmouth,  where  he  borrowed  some 
clothes,  returned  to  Plymouth,  and  entreated  the 
Puritans  to  loan  him  some  beaver.  Although  the 
colony  was  reduced  to  great  straits,  yet,  in  view  of 
his  greater  wretchedness,  it  was  concluded  to  lend 
him  a  hundred  and  seventy  pounds  of  beaver.  In 
this  transaction  the  Puritans  exhibited  great  kindness. 


WESTON'S   CHARACTER.  131 

They  were  under  no  obligations  to  Weston.  He 
had  conferred  upon  them  no  favors.  Though  he 
was  formerly  interested  in  the  Plymouth  settlement, 
yet  from  personal  considerations  he  abandoned  it, 
and  commenced  one  on  his  own  account.  The  bad 
conduct  of  his  settlers  were,  in  all  probability,  the 
occasion  of  the  Indian  conspiracy  and  the  massacre. 
They  were  extremely  undesirable  neighbors.  Al- 
though they  received  nothing  but  good  from  the  Pu- 
ritans, in  return  they  ridiculed  and  slandered  them. 
Weston,  therefore,  had  no  claims  upon  Plymouth. 
The  conduct  of  the  Puritans  in  loaning  him  this 
beaver  was  unmerited  kindness.  This  will  be  the 
more  apparent,  when  it  is  remembered  that  he  could 
give  them  no  security. 

With  this  borrowed  capital  Weston  commenced 
his  fortunes  anew  ;  yet  such  was  his  dishonesty  and 
ingratitude,  that  he  not  only  failed  to  pay  for  the 
beaver,  but,  instead  thereof,  he  maligned  and  opposed 
the  Puritans  on  every  occasion.  We  cannot  deem 
it  any  other  than  a  fortunate  circumstance,  that  his 
colony  was  broken  up  so  early.  With  such  a  man 
at  its  head,  and  such  characters  for  its  materials  as 
his  colonists  were,  nothing  could  have  been  expected 
from  its  continuance  but  a  series  of  internal  dissen- 
sions among  themselves,  and  of  external  troubles 
\vith  the  Indians. 

When  the  Puritans  left  England  in  1620,  they 


132  THE    COLONY   UNCHARTERED. 

sailed  under  the  protection  of  the  Virginia  company, 
with  the  intention  of  settling  in  Virginia,  some- 
where in  the  vicinity  of  Hudson's  River.  At  that 
time,  the  territory  of  Virginia  extended  to  the  forty- 
fifth  degree  of  north  latitude,  to  Passamaquoddy 
Bay  ;  but  their  patent  having  been  taken  out  in  the 
name  of  an  individual,  Mr.  John  Wincob,  who  did 
not  accompany  them,  never  rendered  them  any  ser- 
vice. This  appears  like  a  misfortune ;  but,  in 
reality,  it  was  a  blessing.  Even  if  they  could  have 
made  use  of  their  patent,  it  was  not  what  they 
wanted.  It  was  essentially  defective,  inasmuch  as  it 
did  not  grant  them  what  they  desired  above  all 
things  else  —  liberty  of  conscience ;  so  that  when 
they  landed  at  Plymouth,  they  were  unchartered, 
unpatented.  They  were  in  the  wilderness,  unfet- 
tered by  any  royal  limits  or  "  company "  restric- 
tions. Contrary  to  the  design  of  the  Virginia  com- 
pany, yea,  contrary  to  their  own  intentions,  they 
found  themselves  in  a  new  world,  three  thousand 
miles  from  home,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  liberty 
of  conscience.  God,  in  Ids  kind  providence,  had 
given  them  that  which  the  king,  in  his  bigotry, 
would  have  withheld.  In  answer  to  their  prayers, 
yet  contrary  to  their  hopes,  the  storms  of  Heaven 
had  driven  them  into  a  harbor  of  freedom. 

The  first  patent  taken  out   for  Plymouth  was  in 
the  name  of  John  Pierce,  as  trustee.     This  gentle- 


TIMELY   ARRIVAL.  133 

man,  seeing  the  prospective  growth  of  the  colony, 
had  his  ambition  and  covetousness  so  greatly  ex- 
cited, that  he  procured  another  patent  for  his  own 
use,  by  means  of  which  he  intended  to  have  held 
the  colonists  as  his  tenants,  and  to  have  compelled 
them  "  to  sue  in  his  courts  as  chief  lord."  But 
Providence  was  against  him.  He  made  two  at- 
tempts to  reach  this  country,  from  England,  with  a 
company  of  emigrants,  and  both  times  was  driven 
back  by  disastrous  storms.  Being  thwarted  in  his 
project  by  heavy  losses,  and  other  misfortunes,  he 
was  glad  to  sell  to  the  Puritans,  for  five  hundred 
pounds,  his  patent  which  had  cost  him  but  fifty. 

The  emigrants  who  had  been  driven  back  with 
Pierce  came  over  in  another  vessel,  called  the  Ann. 
She  was  soon  followed  by  the  Little  James,  who 
brought  sixty  passengers,  and  a  quantity  of  supplies 
for  the  colony.  These  stores  were  very  acceptable, 
as  those  of  the  Puritans  were  nearly  gone.  To  so 
low  a  condition  were  they  brought,  that  they  had 
nothing  better  to  extend  to  their  newly  arrived 
guests  than  lobsters  and  cold  water.  The  impor- 
tance of  these  stores  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact 
that  a  day  was  set  apart  for  special  thanksgiving 
and  praise  on  account  of  this  arrival. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1623,  one  of  the  vessels  in 
which  Pierce  had  made  one  of  his  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts to  cross  the  Atlantic,  arrived  at  Plymouth. 
12 


134  COMMUNITY    OF    GOODS. 

She  was  commanded  by  Captain  Francis  West,  who 
had  received  the  appointment  of  Admiral  of  New 
England,  and  had  been  commissioned  to  prevent  all 
vessels  from  trading  or  fishing  on  the  coast,  without 
a  license  from  the  New  England  Council.  But  the 
fishermen  being  too  independent  and  strong  for 
him,  he  could  not  execute  his  commission.  He 
gave  it  up  as  a  hopeless  undertaking,  and  sailed  for 
Southern  Virginia.  To  prevent  any  similar  annoy- 
ance in  future,  the  fishermen  presented  a  petition  to 
Parliament,  who  passed  an  order  that  fishing  should 
be  free. 

Until  this  time,  there  had  been  a  community  of 
interest  among  the  colonists.  Each  man  raised 
what  he  chose,  and  threw  it  into  a  common  stock, 
from  which  the  overseers  supplied  to  each  family, 
according  to  their  number.  Land  was  not  owned 
by  individuals.  It  was  all  common.  Each  man 
cultivated  what  he  pleased,  and  gave  the  products  to 
the  general  store.  This  experiment  of  a  commu- 
nity of  goods,  like  many  others  which  have  been 
tried  since,  did  not  work  well.  As  no  wages  could 
be  given  to  any  one  for  their  labors  in  the  field,  and 
as  those  who  were  disposed  to  be  idle  were  sure  of 
their  proportion  of  supplies,  whether  they  worked 
or  not,  it  was  decided  to  abandon  the  system,  and 
make  every  family  support  themselves.  Accord- 
ingly, at  a  general  meeting  held  in  April  of  this 


WEBSTER'S  ADDRESS.  135 

year,  (1623,)  a  certain  portion  of  land  was  assigned 
to  every  man,  by  lot,  for  cultivation.  All  were, 
therefore,  thrown  upon  their  own  labors  for  the 
fruits  of  the  earth.  Exceptions  were  made  only  in 
the  case  of  public  officers  and  of  fishermen,  who, 
being  engaged  for  the  welfare  of  the  colony  in  other 
directions,  were  considered  worthy  of  a  share  of  the 
products  of  the  soil,  though  they  assisted  not  in 
raising  them.  Immediately  after  the  allotment  of 
the  land,  the  men  began  to  cultivate ;  yea,  so  great 
was  the  interest  which  had  been  excited  by  the  new 
system,  that  women  and  children  entered  the  fields, 
and  labored  so  effectively,  that  a  much  larger  quan- 
tity of  corn  was  planted  than  was  expected.  This 
being  over,  they  were  again  reduced  to  want. 
Their  provisions  were  entirely  consumed.  A  sim- 
ple, affecting,  yet  very  appropriate  memorial  of  their 
condition  at  that  time,  was  presented  at  the  centen- 
nial celebration  of  their  landing,  which  was  ob- 
served December  22,  1820,  at  Plymouth.  After  an 
address  from  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  which  occupied 
•  two  hours  in  its  delivery,  and  which  was  "  correct 
in  its  historical  statements,  powerful  in  argument, 
rich  in  description,  and  pathetic  and  eloquent  in 
action,"  a  procession  was  formed,  which  marched  to 
the  new  court-house,  escorted  by  the  STANDISH 
GUARDS,  under  the  command  of  CAPTAIN  WESTON. 
As  they  entered,  to  the  sound  of  spirit-stirring  music, 


136  THE    FIVE    KERNELS    OF    CORN. 

the  elegantly  decorated  hall,  and  passed  down  the 
long  rows  of  tables,  richly  ladened  with  the  luxuries 
of  the  sea  and  land,  five  kernels  of  parched  com 
were  observed  upon  every  plate.  They  attracted 
attention.  Some  smiled  as  they  passed  along,  at 
what  they  regarded  as  an  odd  conceit.  Others, 
who  were  better  acquainted  with  the  Yankee  char- 
acter, and  with  their  fondness  for  significant  notions, 
knew  that  these  silent  symbols  were  eloquent  with 
some  hidden  meaning,  whilst  others,  still,  who  per- 
ceived in  a  moment  their  design  and  their  beautiful 
appropriateness  to  the  occasion,  gazed  at  them  with 
a  throbbing  heart,  and  with  tearful  eyes.  These 
Jive,  mysterious  kernels  of  corn  were  memorials  of 
that  affecting  incident,  when,  in  1623,  the  colony 
were  reduced  to  a  pint  of  corn,  which,  when  di- 
vided among  the  settlers,  gave  them  five  grains 
each  !  When  this  was  understood  at  the  table,  it 
produced  thrilling  emotions.  Those  five  grains  of 
corn  on  each  plate  were  full  of  the  farina  of  thought 
and  feeling.  Some  ate  them  with  greater  interest 
than  the  most  costly  luxuries  before  them ;  others  • 
carefully  carried  them  away  as  mementoes  of  that 
occasion,  and  of  the  important  event  which  was 
commemorated.  It  would  not  be  surprising  if  some 
of  those  identical  kernels  are  still  sacredly  treasured 
in  the  families  of  some  who  were  present  on  that 
occasion.  (See  plate,  p.  140.) 


PURITAN    PATIENCE.  137 

This  tradition  of  the  five  kernels  of  corn,  though 
it  exhibits  an  affecting  state  of  things,  does  not  con- 
vey the  worst  of  their  condition.  When  these  were 
gone,  they  had  no  corn  !  Other  grain  being  out  of 
the  question,  they  of  course  had  no  bread  !  They 
were  obliged  to  depend  upon  fish,  clams,  and  oys- 
ters ;  occasionally,  they  would  get  a  deer,  which 
would  be  divided  among  the  colony.  In  this  man- 
ner was  their  good  Elder  Brewster  supported  for 
months  together  ;  yet  he  and  his  family,  instead  of 
repining  at  their  hard  lot,  would  sit  down  to  their 
monotonous  fare,  giving  thanks  that  they  could 
"  suck  of  the  abundance  of  the  seas,  and  of  the 
treasures  hid  in  the  sand."  This,  we  have  reason 
to  believe,  was  the  disposition  of  the  settlers  gen- 
erally;  for  Bradford,  who  was  governor  at  that 
period,  says,  "  By  the  time  our  corn  is  planted,  our 
victuals  are  spent,  not  knowing  at  night  where  to 
have  a  bit  in  the  morning,  and  have  neither  bread 
nor  corn  for  THREE  OR  FOUR  MONTHS  TOGETHER, 
yet  bear  our  wants  with  cheerfulness,  and  rest  on 
Providence." 

The  unusually  large  quantity  of  corn  which  was 
planted,  awakened  hopes  that  in  the  following 
season  they  would  have  an  abundant  supply.  But 
their  hopes  appeared  doomed  to  be  blasted.  The 
cisterns  in  the  skies  were  sealed  up ;  the  clouds 
withheld  rain.  The  sun  poured  down  its  rays  in 
12* 


138  LONG    DROUGHT. 

the  fulness  of  its  strength.  The  earth  turned  to 
clods  and  dust.  The  leaves  of  the  trees  curled  and 
withered.  The  grass  was  burnt  up.  Springs  were 
exhausted,  and  brooks  and  ponds  dried.  For  the 
long  period  of  six  weeks  did  the  heavens  withhold 
their  showers.  Their  corn  came  up,  but  soon 
wilted ;  both  blade  and  stalk  hung  down,  changed 
color,  and  apparently  died.  Their  beans  "  stood 
at  a  stay,"  dried  up,  turned  yellow,  and  presented 
the  appearance  of  having  been  scorched.  Their 
hopes  were  overthrown  ;  their  joy  turned  to  sorrow. 
Painful  forebodings  for  the  future  filled  their  hearts. 
As  an  additional  ingredient  in  their  cup  of  woe, 
they  heard  that,  many  months  before,  supplies  had 
been  sent  them  from  England  ;  but  the  vessel  which 
was  bringing  them  was  twice  driven  back,  and  was 
finally  heard  from,  three  hundred  leagues  at  sea. 
As  that  intelligence  was  received  three  months  be- 
fore, as  the  vessel  had  not  arrived,  and  as  pieces  of 
a  wreck  were  found  upon  the  coast,  which  they  con- 
cluded were  hers,  they  gave  her  up  as  lost.  Their 
present  and  prospective  trials  were  so  great,  that 
some  began  to  be  discouraged.  They  regarded 
these  afflictions  as  indications  of  the  displeasure  of 
God  against  them.  They  were  led  to  personal  self- 
examination  and  prayer.  In  addition  to  these  pri- 
vate religious  exercises,  a  day  of  public  humiliation, 
fasting,  and  prayer  was  appointed  by  the  govern- 


PRAYER    FOR    RAIN.  139 

ment.  It  was  universally  observed.  The  people 
assembled  together  with  one  accord.  They  ab- 
stained from  food,  confessed  their  sins,  and  offered 
fervent  prayers,  that  if  it  were  consistent  with  the 
will  and  the  glory  of  God,  he  would  send  down 
upon  them  the  rain  and  the  dews  of  heaven,  to 
refresh  the  thirsty  earth,  and  revive  the  withering, 
dying  plants.  The  day  was  kept  with  marked 
solemnity  and  earnestness.  Their  religious  exer- 
cises continued  through  eight  or  nine  hours.  In  the 
morning,  the  sky  was  as  cloudless  and  unpromising, 
and  the  drought  as  likely  to  continue,  as  ever  ;  but 
before  the  close  of  the  meeting,  "  the  weather," 
says  Winslow  in  his  relation,  "  was  overcast,  the 
clouds  gathered  together  on  all  sides,  and  on  the 
next  morning,  distilled  such  soft,  sweet,  and  mod- 
erate showers  of  rain,  continuing  some  fourteen 
days,  and  mixed  with  such  seasonable  weather,  as  it 
was  hard  to  say  whether  our  withered  corn  or 
drooping  affections  were  most  quickened  or  revived  ; 
such  was  the  bounty  and  goodness  of  our  God." 

Hobbamock,  who  was  then  at  Plymouth,  seeing 
the  people  on  their  way  to  meeting,  said  it  was  but 
three  days  since  Sunday-  He  wanted  to  understand 
the  matter  ;  he  therefore  asked  a  boy  who  was  near 
him,  "  What  are  the  people  going  to  meeting  for  1  " 
"  To  pray  that  God  would  give  us  rain."  Hobba- 
mock then  informed  the  Indians  that  the  Puritans 


140 


EFFECT  UPON  THE  NATIVES. 


were  assembled  together  to  worship  their  God,  and 
pray  to  him  to  send  down  rain.  No  doubt  those 
untaught,  yet  thoughtful  savages  Avatched  with  some 
degree  of  curiosity  the  result.  When,  therefore, 
they  saw  the  clouds  darken  the  heavens,  and  pour 
down  such  gentle,  yet  abundant  showers,  they  ad- 
mired the  goodness  which  produced  such  delightful 
changes  in  so  short  a  time.  They  were  convinced 
that  the  English  were  under  the  protection  of  a 
great  and  good  Being,  who  heard  their  prayers, 
and  granted  their  requests. 


The  Five  Kernels  of  Corn. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

"  I,  under  fair  pretence  of  friendly  ends, 
And  well-placed  words  of  glossy  courtesy, 
Baited  with  reason  not  implausible, 
Wind  me  into  the  easy-hearted  man, 
And  hug  him  into  snares."  —  MILTON. 

John  Lyford. —  His  Obsequiousness.  —  His  Connection  with  John 
Oldham.  —  Governor  Bradford  takes  Copies  of  their  Letters.  — 
Oldham  rebels.  —  Lyford  sets  up  a  Meeting.  —  Their  Trial.  — 
The  Governor's  Address.  —  Both  found  guilty.  —  Oldham  ban- 
ished. —  Lyford's  Confession  and  deep  Sorrow.  —  Repeats  his 
Offence.  —  Oldham  returns.  —  His  abusive  Conduct.  —  Sentenced 
to  run  the  Gantlet.  —  He  reforms.  —  Is  killed  by  the  Indians.  — 
Timely  Abundance. — Trade  with  the  Kennebec.  —  A  Return 
Ship  captured.  —  Escape  of  Standish  from  Slavery.  —  Death  of 
John  Robinson.  —  His  Character. — Death  of  Robert  Cushman. 
—  He  preached  the  first  Sermon  in  New  England.  —  Its  Charac- 
ter. —  Extracts. 

THE  merchant  adventurers  in  England,  who  had 
furnished  the  Puritans  pecuniary  assistance  in  their 
expedition  to  America,  did  not  find  it  a  very  profita- 
ble speculation.  Some  of  them  were  dissatisfied, 
and  were  ready  to  believe  all  the  calumnies  which 
the  enemies  of  the  colonists  brought  against  them. 
There  were  not  wanting  men  to  originate  the  most 
false  and  libellous  charges.  Among  these  none 
were  more  prominent  than  John  Lyford,  an  Episco- 
palian clergyman.  He  came  over  with  Winslow, 


142  LYFORD'S  HYPOCRISY. 

who  had  been  sent  to  England  as  an  agent  of  the 
colony.  Upon  his  first  arrival,  Lyford  hypocritically 
pretended  to  be  a  strong  friend  of  the  Puritans.  He 
treated  them  with  great  reverence,  "  bowing  and 
cringing  "  to  them  in  a  very  obsequious  manner,  so 
much  so  that  Governor  Bradford  was  duped  by  him, 
and  even  invited  him  to  his  councils,  in  connection 
with  Elder  Brewster  and  others.  He  expressed  a 
desire  to  be  admitted  to  their  church.  After  pro- 
fessing his  belief  in  their  doctrines  and  a  reformation 
from  all  his  sinful  habits,  he  was  received.  It  was 
not  long  before  he  contracted  an  intimacy  with  John 
Oldliam,  a  man  of  turbulent  and  factious  spirit,  with 
whom  he  fomented  discontents  among  the  people. 
He  was  known  to  be  very  busy  in  preparing  letters 
to  send  to  England,  when  the  vessel  which  brought 
him  over  should  return.  He,  very  foolishly  for  him- 
self, made  known  the  purport  of  his  letters,  and  it 
was  boasted  among  his  friends  that  they  would  effect 
a  complete  overturn  in  the  colony.  The  governor, 
fearing  that  the  influence  of  his  letters  would  be  in- 
jurious to  the  interests  of  the  colony,  deemed  it  his 
duty  to  intercept  them.  After  the  vessel  had  set  sail, 
he  followed  her  in  a  small  boat,  and  sueceeded  in 
overtaking  her.  He  went  on  board  and  informed 
the  captain  of  what  he  knew  and  what  he  feared. 
The  captain,  being  a  friend  of  the  colony,  permitted 
him  to  open  the  letters,  both  of  Lyford  and  Oldham. 


INTERCEPTED    LETTERS.  143 

They  were  found  to  be  filled  with  misrepresentations 
and  malicious  slanders  against  the  church  and  the 
government.  The  design  of  the  authors  evidently 
was  to  procure  the  establishment  of  a  new  order  of 
things,  by  means  of  which  they  hoped  to  ride  into 
power.  If  these  letters  had  been  believed  and 
heeded  in  England,  the  effects  upon  the  colony 
would  probably  have  been  disastrous.  The  governor 
copied  some,  and  kept  the  originals  of  others  of  these 
letters,  sending  copies  of  these  latter  to  England. 
Some  of  this  correspondence  contained  extracts  from 
letters  to  the  Puritans,  which  extracts  Lyford  ob- 
tained by  unsealing  the  letters  and  taking  copies 
when  they  were  on  board  the  vessel  at  Gravesend, 
England.  This  was  done  to  increase  the  prejudice 
against  them  at  home.  When  the  governor  returned, 
he  made  no  disclosure  of  the  discovery,  but  kept  a 
more  vigilant  eye  upon  the  two  spies.  The  rogues, 
under  the  impression  that  their  letters  were  on  their 
way,  unmolested,  to  England,  and  would  react  in 
their  favor,  became  daily  more  emboldened,  until 
Oldham  rebelled  against  the  constituted  authorities, 
and  stubbornly  refused  to  take  his  regular  turn  in 
performing  military  duty  and  standing  guard.  Not 
satisfied  with  this,  he  rose  against  the  captain  with  a 
deadly  weapon,  and  violently  opposed  all  who  at- 
tempted to  quiet  him.  He  was  tried,  convicted,  and 
sentenced  to  imprisonment.  Upon  his  confession 
and  promise  of  amendment,  he  was  released. 


144        LYFORD  SETS  UP  A  MEETING. 

Lyford  developed  his  opposition  in  a  more  pro- 
fessional way.  Without  consultation  with  the  gov- 
ernor, and  without  obtaining  permission  from  either 
the  church  or  the  elder,  he  had  the  audacity  to  com- 
mence a  meeting  of  his  own  on  Lord's  day,  and 
with  a  few  of  his  coadjutors  to  attempt  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  sacrament,  by  virtue  of  his  episcopal 
ordination.  This  the  Puritans  could  not  permit.  In 
the  judgment  of  the  governor,  the  time  had  now  ar- 
rived when  justice  to  the  criminals,  as  well  as  the 
interests  of  the  colony,  demanded  an  open  trial,  with 
the  exposure  of  their  libellous  correspondence.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  called  the  whole  colony  together,  and 
presented  his  complaints  against  the  two  offenders. 
They  boldly  denied  the  truth  of  the  charges,  and 
called  for  proof.  Bradford  now  arose  and  gave  an 
address  of  considerable  length. 

He  stated  that,  as  the  Puritans  were  greatly  op- 
pressed and  persecuted  for  their  religious  opinions  in 
their  own  country,  they  had  come  to  this  land,  that 
here  they  might  enjoy  their  own  views  of  truth  and 
duty  without  molestation.  He  enlarged  upon  the 
painful  labors  and  sufferings  which  this  emigration 
had  involved.  He  addressed  Lyford,  reminding  him 
that  though  he  had  not  shared  in  the  early  trials  and 
expenditures  of  the  colonists,  yet  when  he  and  his 
family  came  over,  they  were  received  by  the  Puri- 
tans with  great  kindness,  and  freely  supported, 


THE    TRIAL. 

though  it  involved  great  expense ;  and  now  for 
iiim  to  plot  the  ruin  of  the  colony,  was  an  act  of 
great  "  perfidy  and  ingratitude."  Lyford  persisted 
in  his  denial,  and  with  great  hypocrisy  expressed 
astonishment  at  the  charges,  and  said  he  did  not  un- 
derstand the  language  which  had  been  addressed  to 
him.  The  governor  now  "  put  in  "  the  letters  as 
evidence.  Lyford  was  confounded :  Oldham  was 
enraged,  and  added  to  the  evidence  against  himself 
by  calling  upon  his  accomplices  to  be  courageous, 
and  take  an  open  stand  in  the  rebellion,  and  he 
would  sustain  them.  But  no  one  dared  to  show 
themselves  upon  his  side.  All  feared  the  conse- 
quences, and  kept  aloof.  The  governor  now  con- 
tinued his  address  to  Lyford.  He  reminded  him  of 
liis  treachery  in  breaking  the  seals  of  private  letters, 
and  surreptitiously  taking  copies ;  of  his  humble 
confession  when  received  into  the  church;  of  his 
promise  not  to  perform  the  functions  of  a  minister 
until  he  had  another  call  to  the  sacred  office,  and 
yet,  in  open  violation  of  this  promise,  he  had  as- 
sumed the  clerical  profession,  drawn  aside  a  small 
clique,  and  had  attempted  to  officiate  at  the  Lord's 
table  ! 

Lyford's    only  defence    was,  that   many    persons 

in   the    colony  had   complained   to    him   of  various 

abuses  which  were  practised.     He  gave  their  names  : 

they  were  called   upon  to  testify ;  but  in  so  doing, 

13 


146  THE    CONVICTIONS. 

they  denied  his  assertions.  With  overwhelming 
evidence  against  him,  and  his  own  witnesses  proving 
him  a  liar,  he  saw  there  was  no  hope  of  an  acquit- 
tal. He  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  confessed  that 
his  letters  against  them  were  false  and  malicious ; 
said  that  he  was  a  reprobate,  and  feared  that  his 
sins  were  too  great  to  be  forgiven.  Both  of  them 
were  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be  expelled 
from  the  colony.  Oldham  was  sent  off  at  once. 
He  was  a  pestilent  fellow,  and  it  was  a  great  relief 
to  the  settlers  to  be  freed  from  him.  His  wife  and 
family  were  permitted  to  remain  until  they  could  be 
comfortably  removed.  The  execution  of  Lyford's 
sentence  was  postponed  for  six  months.  It  was  the 
governor's  intention  to  pardon  him,  in  case  his  re- 
pentance proved  sincere.  Lyford  made  the  most  of 
this  respite.  His  confessions  were  full  and  appa- 
rently penitent.  He  acknowledged  that  in  his 
slanderous  charges  against  the  church  and  the  gov- 
ernment, he  was  influenced  by  unholy  pride,  am- 
bition, and  selfishness  ;  and  so  great  was  his  vileness, 
that  if  God  should  send  him  forth  as  a  vagabond 
and  fugitive  upon  the  earth,  it  would  be  no  more 
than  he  deserved.  Such  apparently  sincere  and 
hearty  repentance  could  not  be  overlooked.  Some 
were  so  solicitous  in  his  behalf,  that  they  were  will- 
ing to  intercede  for  his  pardon  on  their  knees.  It 
seemed  too  cruel  to  exile  such  a  tearful  penitent. 


OLDHAJVI     REFORMS. 


147 


Yet  before  one  half  of  the  time  of  his  respite  had 
elapsed,  he  was  detected  in  'a  repetition  of  the  offence. 
He  actually  wrote  another  libellous  communication 
to  his  accomplices  in  England ;  but  the  bearer  of 
it  delivered  it  to  the  governor.  Lyford  now  left 
the  colony,  and  went  to  Cape  Ann,  where  he  had 
been  invited  as  a  minister.  He  afterwards  died  in 
Virginia. 

When  Oldham  left  Plymouth,  he  went  to  Nan- 
tasket.  Notwithstanding  his  sentence  prohibited  his 
return  without  the  permit  of  the  governor,  he  came 
back  the  next  march,  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
election.  His  conduct  was  so  abusive  and  lawless, 
that  his  old  acquaintances  would  not  associate  with 
him.  He  was  arrested  a  second  time,  and  sentenced 
to  undergo  the  humiliating  punishment  of  the  gant- 
let. Two  rows  of  armed  soldiers  were  drawn  up, 
and  he  was  compelled  to  pass  down  the  lines  be- 
tween them  :  as  he  passed  each  man  gave  him  a  blow 
with  the  but  of  his  musket,  and  at  the  same  time 
said,  "  Go  and  mend  your  manners."  After  this, 
Oldham  became  a  trader  at  Nantasket.  On  a  voy- 
age to  Virginia  he  was  overtaken  by  a  storm,  and 
being  in  great  peril,  was  frightened ;  made  confes- 
sion of  his  evil  deeds,  and  promised  God,  that  if 
his  life  were  preserved,  he  would  mend  his  ways. 
After  this  he  so  far  reformed  that  the  colonists 
at  Plymouth  permitted  him  to  visit  them  when- 


148  ABUNDANT    CROPS. 

ever  he  chose.     He  was  finally  killed  in  a  quarrel 
with  some  Indians. 

The  company  of  merchant  adventurers  who  had 
assisted  the  Puritans,  being  disappointed  in  their  ex- 
pectations of  profit,  and  involved  in  pecuniary  em- 
barrassments, dissolved,  and  threw  the  colonists  to  a 
greater  extent  than  ever  upon  themselves.  This  was 
in  1625.  A  kind  Providence  so  ordered  it  that,  just 
at  the  time  when  they  were  abandoned  by  the  ad- 
venturers at  home,  their  crops  proved  unusually 
abundant.  They  not  only  had  corn  enough  for  their 
own  use,  but  a  surplus  for  traffic.  They  desired  to 
send  some  of  it  to  Kennebec.  But  how  could  they 
get  it  there  ?  They  had  no  horses  or  other  beasts  of 
burden,  and,  therefore,  could  not  take  it  by  land. 
All  their  shipping  amounted  to  only  two  small  shal- 
lops, which,  in  their  present  condition,  would  not 
answer  the  purpose.  After  some  consultation  they 
built  a  deck  over  one  of  the  shallops,  and  loaded  it 
with  corn.  As  there  were  no  sailors  in  the  colony, 
the  shallop  was  manned  by  Mr.  Winslow  and  some 
of  the  most  experienced  men.  They  set  out  upon 
this  "  commercial  "  enterprise  late  in  the  fall.  It 
proved  successful.  They  made  a  profitable  ex- 
change with  their  corn,  and  brought  back  seven 
hundred  pounds  of  beaver,  besides  other  peltries. 
Not  the  least  advantage  gained  on  that  occasion  was 
the  finding  of  a  market  for  future  trade. 


ROBINSON'S  DEATH.  149 

The  same  year  Capt.  Standish  had  a  narrow  es- 
cape from  slavery.  Two  ships,  which  had  come 
from  the  adventurers  on  a  trading  voyage,  were 
about  to  return  with  a  cargo  of  fish  and  furs.  It 
being  necessary  that  Standish  should  go  to  London 
as  agent  for  the  colony,  he  embarked  in  one  of  these 
vessels.  The  larger  ship  took  the  smaller  one  in 
tow,  until  they  arrived  at  the  English  channel.  Here 
it  was  cast  off,  and  before  it  could  reach  London  it 
was  overtaken  by  a  Turkish  man-of-war,  captured, 
and  taken  to  Salee,  in  the  kingdom  of  Fez,  where 
the  captain  and  crew  were  reduced  to  slavery.  If 
Standish  had  been  on  board,  that  would  have  been 
his  fate ;  but,  fortunately,  he  was  in  the  larger  vessel, 
and  so  escaped.  When  he  returned  to  Plymouth 
the  next  year,  he  brought  back  the  intelligence  of 
the  death  of  their  pastor,  the  venerable  and  beloved 
John  Robinson.  This  was  a  painful  blow  to  the 
colony.  Robinson  had  been  their  pastor  for  many 
years.  When  persecution  raged  too  violently  for 
them  in  their  own  country,  where  they  were  sub- 
jected to  imprisonments  and  other  penalties  on  ac- 
count of  their  religious  views,  he  fled  with  them  to 
Leyden,  in  Holland,  and  shared  in  their  trials  whilst 
residents  among  a  people  whose  language  they  un- 
derstood not,  and  where  they  found  great  difficulty 
in  obtaining  a  support.  When  their  emigration  to 
America  was  resolved  on,  Robinson  heartily  favored 
13* 


150  ROBINSON'S  COUNSELS. 

it.  Lest  any  might  waver  in  the  determination 
which  they  had  formed,  he  preached  a  sermon  to 
encourage  in  them  a  firmness  of  purpose  to  remove. 
At  a  later  period  in  the  same  year,  a  day  of  special 
i'asting  and  prayer  was  appointed,  when  he  preached 
to  them  again  from  that  very  apposite  passage  re- 
corded in  Ezra  viii.  21 :  "I  proclaimed  a  fast  at 
the  river  Ahava,  that  we  might  afflict  ourselves  before 
God,  to  seek  of  him  a  right  way  for  us,  and  for  our 
little  ones,  and  for  all  our  substance."  The  sermon 
was  fraught  with  judicious  and  timely  advice.  It 
breathed  a  spirit  of  Christian  liberality  wliich  con- 
trasted widely  with  the  prevailing  bigotry  of  the 
times.  It  expressed  the  conviction  that  even  they 
had  not  arrived  at  a  discovery  of  the  whole  mind  of 
God,  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures,  and,  therefore, 
they  ought  to  expect  the  unfolding  of  new  truths, 
which  he  exhorted  them  to  be  ever  ready  to  receive. 
He  cautioned  them  against  following  him  any  farther 
than  his  conduct  was  in  accordance  with  the  example 
of  the  Savior.  "  Brethren,  "  said  he,  "  we  are  now 
quickly  to  part  from  one  another,  and  whether  I 
may  ever  live  to  see  your  face  on  earth  any  more, 
the  God  of  heaven  only  knows ;  but  whether  the 
Lord  hath  appointed  that  or  not,  I  charge  you  be- 
fore God  and  his  blessed  angels,  that  you  follow  me 
no  farther  than  you  have  seen  me  follow  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  If  God  reveal  any  thing  to  you,  by 


any  other  instrument  of  his,  be  as  ready  to  receive 
it  as  ever  you  were  to  receive  any  truth  by  my  min- 
istry :  for  I  am  fully  persuaded,  I  am  very  confi- 
dent, that  the  Lord  has  more  truth  yet  to  break 
forth  out  of  his  holy  word.  For  my  part,  I  cannot 
sufficiently  bewail  the  condition  of  the  reformed 
churches,  who  are  come  to  a  period  in  religion,  and 
will  go  at  present  no  farther  than  the  instruments 
of  their  reformation.  The  Lutherans  cannot  be 
drawn  to  go  beyond  what  Luther  saw.  Whatever 
part  of  his  will  our  good  God  has  revealed  to  Cal- 
vin, they  will  rather  die  than  embrace  it ;  and  the 
Calvinists,  you  see,  stick  fast  where  they  were  left 
by  that  great  man  of  God,  who  yet  saw  not  all 
things."  Robinson  was  a  man  of  "  good  genius, 
quick  penetration,  ready  wit,  great  modesty,  integ- 
rity, and  candor."  With  a  good  classical  education, 
strong  powers  of  argument,  and  an  aptness  to  de- 
tect and  expose  the  weak  points  of  his  opponents, 
he  was  acknowledged  to  be  a  formidable  disputant. 
In  his  personal  intercourse  he  was  easy,  gentle- 
manly, and  obliging.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  im- 
pressive and  edifying.  He  increased  in  blandness 
of  manners  as  he  advanced  in  years.  He  was  par- 
ticularly distinguished  as  a  peacemaker,  and  was 
the  means,  in  a  number  of  instances,  of  effecting  a 
reconciliation  between  those  who  were  at  variance 
with  each  other.  His  death  was  greatly  lamented 
by  both  branches  of  the  church. 


152  FIRST    SERMON    IN    NEW    ENGLAND. 

i 

In  addition  to  the  decease  of  Robinson,  Captain 
Standish  also  brought  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
Mr.  Robert  Cushman,  a  gentleman  who  had  been 
deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  colony  from 
the  first.  He  embarked,  as  has  already  been  stated, 
with  the  first  company  that  left  England  for  Plym- 
outh ;  but  when  the  Speedwell  was  abandoned,  and 
all  could  not  be  accommodated  in  the  Mayflower, 
he  was  among  the  number  who  were  left  behind. 
He  came  out  afterwards  in  the  Fortune.  It  is  a 
singular  circumstance  that  he,  being  a  layman, 
preached  the  first  sermon  ever  delivered  in  New 
England.  It  was  on  the  "  Sin  and  Danger  of  Self- 
love,"  from  the  text,  "  Let  no  man  seek  his  own, 
but  every  man  another's  wealth."  It  was  printed  in 
London,  anonymously,  in  1622,  and  has  passed 
through  several  editions  in  this  country.  Tradition 
has  fixed  the  spot  where  it  was  delivered,  at  the 
house  of  the  plantation,  on  the  south  side  of  Ley- 
den  Street.  The  plan  of  the  sermon  was  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  parts  of  this  text  are  two.  1.  A  de- 
hortation.  2.  An  exhortation.  The  dehortation  : 
Let  no  man  seek  his  own.  The  exhortation  :  But 
every  man  another's  wealth.  In  handling  of  which, 
I  will  first  open  the  words  ;  secondly,  gather  the 
doctrine ;  thirdly,  illustrate  the  doctrine  by  Scrip- 
tures, experience,  and  reason  ;  fourthly,  apply  the 
same  to  every  one  his  portion."  It  was  a  dis- 


AN   EXTRACT.  153 

course  of  marked  peculiarities,  abounding  with  good 
thoughts,  quaintly  expressed,  according  to  the  fash- 
ion of  the  times.  "VVe  give  one  extract  as  a  speci- 
men. "  The  difference  between  a  temperate,  good 
man  and  a  belly-god  is  this  :  A  good  man  will  not 
eat  his  morsels  alone,  especially  if  he  have  better 
than  others ;  but  if  by  God's  providence  he  have 
gotten  some  meat  which  is  better  than  ordinary,  and 
better  than  his  other  brethren,  he  can  have  no  rest 
in  himself,  except  he  make  others  partake  with  him. 
But  a  belly-god  will  slop  all  in  his  own  throat,  yea, 
though  his  neighbor  come  in  and  behold  him  eat ; 
yet  this  gripple-gut  shameth  not  to  swallow  all." 
He  was  sent  twice  to  England,  as  agent  of  the 
colony,  and  managed  their  business  with  great 
discretion. 


' 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

"  I  venerate  the  man  whose  heart  is  warm, 
Whose  hands  are  pure,  whose  doctrine  and  whose  life, 
Coincident,  exhibit  lucid  proof 
That  he  is  honest  in  the  sacred  cause."  —  COWPER. 

A  Pinnace  built.  —  Messengers  from  the  Dutch.  —  Reception  of 
De  Razier.  —  Trade  with  him.  —  Wampum.  —  The  Colony  with- 
out a  Pastor.  —  Original  Agreement  respecting  their  old  Pastor. 

—  A  Minister  found  at  Nantaskct.  —  He  becomes  the  Plymouth 
Pastor.  —  His  Character.  —  Roger  Williams.  —  His  Troubles  at 
Salem.  —  Goes  to  Plymouth  as  an  Assistant.  —  Returns  to  Sa- 
lem.—  He  cultivates  Acquaintance   with   the    Natives. — John 
Killing-ton.  —  Commits  Murder.  —  Is  tried  and  executed.  —  The 
Tendency  of  Sin.  —  A  Shipwreck.  —  Kindness  of  the  Indians. 

—  Difficulties  adjusted.  —  Governor  Winthrop's  Visit  to  Plym- 
outh.—  Singular  Puritan  Custom. —  Discussion  about  the  Use 
of  "  Goodman  Such-a-one."  —  Hue's  Cross. 

IN  order  to  carry  on  a  trade  with  their  southern 
neighbors,  the  colonists,  in  1627,  built  a  small  pin- 
nace at  Buzzard's  Bay.  By  transporting  their  mer- 
chandise overland  from  Plymouth  to  that  point,  a 
distance  of  only  a  few  miles,  they  avoided  a  com- 
paratively long  and  dangerous  voyage  round  Cape 
Cod.  They  accomplished,  in  this  manner,  two 
objects ;  they  escaped  danger,  and  saved  time.  A 
similar  method  of  conveyance  was  resorted  to  in 
1812,  at  the  time  of  our  last  war  with  Great  Britain, 
in  order  to  escape  the  enemy  who  were  cruising 
about  the  Cape. 


DUTCH    MESSENGERS.  155 

In  1627,  letters  and  messengers  from  the  Dutch 
settlements  on  the  Hudson  River  arrived  at  Plym- 
outh, conveying  friendly  congratulations,  and  pro- 
posing commercial  intercourse.  They  were  cor- 
dially received,  and  their  sentiments  of  friendship 
met  with  a  hearty  response.  In  September  of  the 
same  year,  Isaac  De  Razier,  who  had  signed  the 
above  letters  as  secretary,  came  himself  to  Buzzard's 
Bay.  From  thence,  he  sent  a  request  to  Governor 
Bradford  for  a  boat  to  bring  him  to  Plymouth.  The 
boat  was  soon  got  in  order  and  sent,  and  the  hon- 
orable secretary  was  brought  to  Plymouth,  with  the 
music  of  trumpeters,  in  genuine  Dutch  style.  His 
arrival  was  quite  an  exciting  event  in  the  little 
town,  and  furnished  the  Puritans  with  new  topics  of 
conversation.  He  and  his  company  were  hospitably 
entertained  for  several  days.  When  he  returned,  a 
number  of  the  colony  accompanied  him  as  far  as 
Buzzard's  Bay.  As  he  had  brought  with  him  sugar, 
linen,  and  other  articles  which  they  needed,  they 
made  a  number  of  purchases,  which  were  mutually 
advantageous,  and  then,  with  reciprocal  expressions 
of  respect,  they  parted.  The  way  being  once 
opened,  the  Dutch  frequently  visited  Buzzard's  Bay, 
and  exchanged  their  productions  for  those  of  Plym- 
outh. Among  the  articles  which  they  obtained 
from  the  Dutch  was  a  quantity  of  wampum,  or 
wampum-peack ;  or,  as  Gookin  calls  it,  wompom- 


156  WAMPUM. 

pague.  It  is  composed  of  small  pieces  of  shell, 
white  or  purple,  ground,  polished,  and  then  drilled,  so 
that  they  may  be  strung.  They  were  used  by  the 
Indians  as  coin.  The  first  quantity  which  the  Puri- 
tans bought  they  found  very  difficult  to  dispose  of. 
They  kept  it  on  hand  for  two  years.  After  this  it 
became  a  very  salable  article,  especially  among  the 
Indians  of  the  interior,  with  whom  fragments  of  sea- 
shell  were  rare.  One  fathom  of  it  was  equivalent  to 
five  shillings.  They  sent  large  quantities  of  it  to 
Kennebec,  where,  by  their  monopoly  of  it,  they 
succeeded  in  obtaining  command  of  the  whole  trade 
on  that  river. 

When  the  Puritans  first  came  over  in  the  May- 
flower, they  were  unaccompanied  by  any  pastor. 

It  had  been  previously  agreed  upon  by  the  Ley- 
den  church,  that  if  the  majority  carne  over  with  the 
first  party,  they  should  be  accompanied  by  their  pas- 
tor, but  if  only  a  minority  of  the  church  came,  Elder 
Brewster  should  be  their  religious  teacher,  and  the 
pastor  should  tarry  with  the  majority.  This  arrange- 
ment was  faithfully  executed.  As  only  a  minority 
came  with  the  first  company,  Robinson  was  left 
behind  to  take  charge  of  the  others,  but  Brewster 
accompanied  the  emigrants  ;  hence,  after  their  ar- 
rival, public  religious  services  were  usually  conducted 
by  him.  He  was  a  man  well  qualified  to  have  be- 
come their  pastor,  but  resolutely  refused  ordination. 


FIRST    NEW    ENGLAND    PASTOR.  Io7 

After  the  death  of  Robinson,  that  branch  of  the 
church  over  which  he  had  presided  was  dissolved, 
arid  a  portion  of  them,  among  whom  were  his  widow 
and  children,  came  to  Plymouth.  Still,  Brewster 
continued  unwilling  to  be  ordained,  although  he  per- 
formed the  regular  duties  of  pastor.  This  state  of 
things  continued  until  1629,  when  some  of  the  men 
of  Plymouth,  having  occasion  to  put  into  Nantasket, 
found  there  a  man  reduced  to  a  destitute  condition, 
by  the  name  of  Ralph  Smith.  He  earnestly  en- 
treated them  to  take  him  to  Plymouth.  As  he  ap- 
peared to  be  an  honest-hearted,  ingenuous,  and  pious 
man,  and  had  officiated  as  a  minister,  they  complied 
with  his  request.  After  he  had  been  at  Plymouth  a 
short  time,  and  had  exercised  his  gifts  among  them, 
he  was  invited  to  become  their  pastor.  This  invita- 
tion being  accepted,  he  was  settled  over  them  as 
their  first  minister.  They  were  not  long  in  discov- 
ering that  he  was  a  man  of  limited  intelligence  and 
weak  capacity.  There  was  a  wide  disparity  between 
his  instructions  and  those  of  their  revered  Robinson. 
The  teachings  of  Brewster  were  regarded  as  far 
more  edifying  than  his.  It  was  no  easy  task  to  fill 
the  places  of  such  men.  This  Smith  himself  pain- 
fully realized.  He  felt  his  inability  to  meet  the 
wants  of  his  flock,  and,  after  occupying  his  position 
five  or  six  years,  he  finally,  under  a  personal  sense 
of  his  incapacity,  and  in  compliance  with  the  request 
14 


158  ROGER    WILLIAMS. 

of  his  people,  tendered  his  resignation.  Before  he 
left,  he  was  assisted  in  his  labors  by  the  renowned 
Roger  Williams,  who  came  over  on  the  5th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1630.  Mr.  Williams  first  accepted  of  the  in- 
vitation of  the  church  in  Salem  to  settle  with  their 
pastor,  Mr.  Skelton,  as  an  assistant  teacher.  But 
the  civil  government  soon  interfered  and  sent  a  letter 
to  the  church,  censuring  them  for  choosing  Mr. 
Williams  "  without  advising  with  the  council,"  and 
desiring  them  to  proceed  no  farther  until  they  had  a 
conference  on  the  subject.  Charges  of  an  ecclesias- 
tical or  theological  nature  were  brought  against  Mr. 
Williams  by  the  secular  authorities.  He  was  con- 
demned for  his  religious  views  by  the  General  Court. 
His  condition  at  Salem  was  made  uncomfortable  by 
"  the  powers  that  be,"  who  ought  to  have  let  him 
alone.  Though  he  and  his  church  were  mutually 
and  strongly  attached  to  each  other,  he  thought  it 
best  to  accept  of  the  invitation  to  be  an  assistant 
teacher  at  Plymouth.  His  labors  there  were  well 
received.  Governor  Bradford  says  of  him,  "  He 
exercised  his  gifts  among  us,  and  after  some  time 
was  admitted  a  member  of  the  church,  and  his  teach- 
ing was  well  approved ;  for  the  benefit  whereof,  I 
shall  bless  God,  and  am  thankful  to  him  even  for  his 
sharpest  admonitions  and  reproofs,  so  far  as  they 
agreed  with  truth."  And  Morton  asserts  that  "  he 
was  well  accepted  as  an  assistant  in  the  ministry." 


ROGER  WILLIAMS'S    OPINION.  159 

He  remained  about  two  years  at  Plymouth,  during 
which  time  he  probably  expressed  his  sentiments 
upon  those  subjects  which  were  so  obnoxious  to  the 
government  of  Massachusetts,  and  which  were  not 
particularly  agreeable  to  the  leading  men  of  Plym- 
outh, though  they  were  not  condemned  by  any 
formal  act  of  the  church.  His  attachment  to  Salem 
was  not  destroyed.  Being  invited  to  return  there  as 
an  assistant  to  Mr.  Skelton,  who  was  in  declining 
health,  he  asked  a  dismission  from  the  Plymouth 
church.  His  friends  were  unwilling  to  grant  it. 
But  Mr.  Brewster,  the  ruling  elder,  advised  the 
church  to  comply  with  his  request,  and  dismiss  both 
him  and  his  adherents,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
He  then  went  to  Salem,  accompanied  by  those  who 
had  become  attached  to  his  ministry.  Mr.  Williams 
was  the  great  champion  of  soul-liberty.  He  main- 
tained the  principle  of  universal  religious  toleration, 
and  contended  that  the  civil  government  had  no  right 
to  interfere  with  the  religious  belief  of  men  ;  that 
"  the  civil  power  has  no  jurisdiction  over  the  con- 
science." In  these  respects  he  was  far  ahead  of  his 
age.  But  what  were  regarded  as  novel  and  dan- 
gerous sentiments  in  his  day,  are  now  admitted 
truths,  and  familiar  as  household  words. 

During  his  residence  at  Plymouth,  he  availed  him- 
self of  every  favorable  opportunity  of  intercourse 
with  the  Indians.  He  made  excursions  among  them 


IbU  iMURDER. 

to  learn  their  language,  study  their  manners,  and 
qualify  himself  to  be  useful  among  them.  "My 
whole  desire,"  said  he,  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  was  to 
do  the  natives  good."  He  became  acquainted  with 
the  most  influential  chiefs,  and  secured  their  friend- 
ship by  the  interest  which  he  manifested  for  their 
welfare.  In  a  letter  written  near  the  evening  of 
life,  he  says,  "  God  was  pleased  to  give  me  a  pain- 
ful, patient  spirit,  to  lodge  with  them  in  their  filthy, 
smoky  holes,  (even  while  I  lived  at  Plymouth  and 
Salem,)  to  gain  their  tongue."  The  knowledge 
which  he  thus  acquired,  and  the  friendships  he 
formed,  were  of  great  service  to  him  in  after-life. 
But  as  the  history  of  his  subsequent  adventures  were 
not  connected  with  Plymouth  colony,  it  will  not  be 
appropriate  to  dwell  upon  them  here. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  the  settlement  of 
the  colony,  no  capital  offence  was  committed.  But 
at  the  end  of  that  period,  a  murder  was  perpetrated, 
which  required  careful  investigation.  The  culprit 
was  John  Billington,  a  profane,  miserable  scape- 
grace from  London,  who  in  some  unaccountable 
manner  was  "  shuffled  "  in  among  the  pilgrims,  and 
came  over  in  the  Mayflower.  He  was  guilty  of  the 
first  offence  in  the  colony,  an  account  of  which  has 
been  already  given,  and  for  which  he  was  sentenced 
to  have  his  neck  and  heels  tied  together.  Governor 
Bradford  said  of  him,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Cushman  in 


TRIAL    AND    VERDICT.  161 

1625,  "  Billington  is  a  knave,  and  so  will  live  and 
die."  Whether  this  prediction  was  fulfilled  or  not, 
we  shall  see  in  the  sequel.  A  complaint  being  entered 
against  him,  the  case  was  first  examined  by  a  grand 
jury,  and  as  they  found  a  true  bill,  charging  him 
with  waylaying  and  killing  a  young  man  by  the 
name  of  John  Newcomen,  he  was  tried  by  a  petit 
jury,  who,  after  a  careful  hearing  of  the  evidence  in 
the  case,  brought  in  a  verdict  of  guilty.  It  became 
now  a  grave  question  with  the  government,  What 
shall  be  done  ?  Here  is  a  murderer  on  our  hands, 
who,  after  a  fair  trial  according  to  the  rules  of  law, 
has  been  found  guilty.  By  the  laws  of  England,  he 
ought  to  die.  But  if  we  judge  Mm  according  to 
English  laws,  by  that  act  we  shall  acknowledge  our- 
selves subject  to  English  laws  and  under  obligation 
to  obey  them,  whereas  we  have  fled  to  this  wilder- 
ness to  escape  that  necessity.  Besides,  have  we  au- 
thority to  execute  him  ?  Or,  in  his  execution  shall 
we  not  incur  the  liability  of  a  prosecution  by  the 
home  government  ?  It  was  regarded  as  a  matter  of 
such  grave  importance,  and  involving  such  difficult 
points,  that  it  was  resolved  to  ask  the  advice  of  the 
governor  and  some  of  the  most  judicious  men  of 
the  neighboring  colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  The 
facts  in  the  case  were  accordingly  communicated  to 
them,  and  their  opinions  solicited.  Governor  Win- 
throp,  and  the  others  who  had  been  consulted,  were 
14* 


162  SENTENCE. 

unanimous  in  the  conclusion  that  the  murderer 
ought  to  die.  They  based  their  opinion  not  upon 
English  law,  but  upon  the  law  of  Moses,  that  whoso 
sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood  be  shed. 
They  advised,  therefore,  that  the  criminal  should  be 
executed,  and  "  the  land  be  purged  of  blood."  Their 
advice  was  followed,  and  poor  John  Billington  suf- 
fered an  ignominious  death.  He  furnished  another 
illustration  of  the  progressiveness  and  fatal  tendency 
of  sin.  If  the  punishment  which  he  received  for 
the  first  offence  committed  in  the  colony  had  been 
effectual  in  liis  reformation,  he  might  have  lived  a 
useful  life,  and  died  an  honored  death.  But  no  ;  not- 
withstanding his  professed  penitence  on  that  occasion, 
and  the  favor  which  was  shown  him,  he  pressed  on 
in  his  career  of  iniquity,  until  he  came  to  an  ignoble 
end.  So  true  it  is  that  evil  men  and  seducers  wax 
worse  and  worse,  deceiving  and  being  deceived ;  and 
that  lust,  when  it  hath  conceived,  bringeth  forth  sin  ; 
and  sin,  when  it  is  finished,  bringeth  forth  death. 

It  is  refreshing  to  turn  from  the  cruelty  of  Bil- 
lington to  the  kindness  of  certain  savages  wliich  was 
exhibited  about  the  same  time.  Richard  Garrett, 
with  a  number  of  others  who  belonged  to  the  more 
recent  settlement  at  Boston,  was  driven  ashore  at 
Cape  Cod.  Their  vessel  went  to  pieces.  It  being 
in  the  cold  season,  a  number  of  the  men  perished 
from  exposure  and  hardship.  Others  of  them, 


KINDNESS  OF  SAVAGES.  163 

though  they  did  not  die,  suffered  greatly,  and  had  a 
very  narrow  escape.  The  Indians  on  the  cape  ral- 
lied to  their  rescue.  Those  of  the  survivors  who 
were  almost  exhausted  they  attended  and  nursed 
with  great  kindness,  until  they  were  completely  re- 
stored ;  the  dead  bodies  of  the  others  they  buried, 
though  with  difficulty,  in  consequence  of  the  ground 
being  frozen  ;  and  then,  taking  those  who  were  re- 
covered, they  escorted  them  for  fifty  miles  through 
woods  and  fields,  until  they  brought  them  safely  to 
Plymouth. 

The  two  neighboring  colonies  of  Plymouth  and 
Massachusetts  Bay  were  on  the  verge  of  a  quarrel, 
in  consequence  of  the  trade  in  corn,  which  the  latter 
carried  on  with  the  Indians  at  Cape  Cod.  A  pin- 
nace which  belonged  to  Salem  was  driven  by  stress 
of  weather  into  Plymouth.  She  was  found  to  be 
laden  with  corn.  The  colonists  were  anxious  to 
know  where  it  was  obtained.  When  they  learned 
that  it  had  been  purchased  of  the  natives  at  Cape 
Cod,  they  were  displeased,  and  the  governor  issued 
an  order  forbidding  the  traffic,  and  threatening  that 
the  order  should  be  forcibly  executed  if  any  attempt 
was  made  to  continue  the  trade.  This  led  to  a  cor- 
respondence between  the  governors  of  the  two  colo- 
nies, and  after  a  visit  from  Governor  Bradford  to 
Boston,  the  difficulty  was  adjusted. 

Next  year,  1632,  Governor  Winthrop,  of  Massa- 


164  CHURCH    CUSTOMS. 

chusetts,  made  a  visit  to  Plymouth,  accompanied 
by  his  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  and  two  captains. 
They  embarked  in  a  vessel  commanded  by  Captain 
Pierce,  which  had  recently  arrived  from  England, 
and  were  put  on  shore  at  Weymouth,  where  another 
colony  had  been  planted  after  the  destruction  of 
Weston's,  and  which  had  met  with  some  degree  of 
prosperity.  On  the  next  morning  they  started  for 
Plymouth,  which  they  reached  at  evening  of  the 
same  day.  They  were  honorably  received,  hospita- 
bly entertained  and  "  feasted  every  day  at  several 
houses."  The  Sabbath  being  communion  day,  they 
partook  of  the  ordinance  of  the  supper.  Winthrop 
in  his  journal  has  given  a  particular  account  of  cer- 
tain forms  which  were  observed  on  that  occasion. 
He  says,  "  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Roger  Williams  (ac- 
cording to  their  custom)  propounded  a  question,  to 
which  their  pastor,  Mr.  Smith,  spake  briefly.  Rev. 
Mr.  Williams  prophesied;  and  after,  the  governor  of 
Plymouth  spake  to  the  question ;  after  him,  the 
elder ;  then  some  two  or  three  more  of  the  congre- 
gation. Then  the  elder  desired  the  governor  of 
Massachusetts  and  Mr.  Wilson  to  speak  to  it,  which 
they  did.  When  this  was  ended,  the  deacon,  Mr. 
Fuller,  put  the  congregation  in  mind  of  the  contri- 
bution, upon  which  the  governor  and  all  the  rest 
went  down  to  the  deacon's  seat  and  put  into  the  bag,  and 
then  returned."  From  this  it  would  seem  that  the 


GOODMAN    SUCH-A-ONE.  165 

contribution  box  or  bag  was  not  passed  round ; 
but  every  one  who  contributed,  the  governors  with 
the  rest,  left  his  place,  went  down  to  the  deacon's 
seat,  which  was  probably  near,  or  under,  the  pulpit, 
and  there  left  their  offering.  On  the  following 
Wednesday,  the  Massachusetts  governor,  with  his 
suite,  left  for  home.  They  were  accompanied  part 
of  their  way  by  the  governor,  the  pastor,  and  the 
elder  of  Plymouth. 

This  is  not  the  whole  of  this  interesting  visit 
which  has  come  down  to  us.  Cotton  Mather,  in 
his  Magnalia,  has  given  a  characteristic  account  of 
the  question  which  was  discussed,  and  some  of  the 
arguments  employed  on  that  occasion.  It  sheds 
additional  light  upon  the  spirit  and  temper  of  those 
times.  He  states  that  "  there  were  at  this  time,  in 
Plymouth,  two  ministers  leavened  so  far  with  the 
humors  of  the  rigid  separation,  that  they  insisted 
vehemently  upon  the  unlawfulness  of  calling  any 
unregenerate  man  by  the  name  of  Goodman  Such- 
a-one,  until,  by  their  indiscreet  urging  of  this  whim- 
sey,  the  place  began  to  be  disquieted.  The  wiser 
people  being  troubled  at  these  trifles,  they  took  the 
opportunity  of  Governor  Winthrop's  being  there,  to 
have  the  thing  publicly  propounded  in  the  congre- 
gation ;  who,  in  answer  thereunto,  distinguished 
between  a  theological  and  a  moral  goodness,  adding, 
that  when  juries  were  first  used  in  England,  it  was 


166  HUE'S  CROSS. 

usual  for  the  crier,  after  the  names  of  persons  fit 
for  that  service  were  called  over,  to  bid  them  all 
attend,  good  men  and  true ;  whence  it  grew  to  be  a 
civil  custom  in  the  English  nation  for  neighbors, 
living  by  one  another,  to  call  one  another  Goodman 
Such-a-one,  and  it  was  pity  now  to  make  a  stir  about 
a  civil  custom  so  innocently  introduced.  And  that 
speech  of  Mr.  Winthrop  put  a  lasting  stop  to  the 
little,  idle,  whimsical  conceits  then  beginning  to 
grow  obstreperous." 

On  their  return  home,  they  came  to  a  place 
named  Hue's  Cross.  The  religious  antipathies  of 
the  governor  were  excited,  and  for  fear  that,  at  some 
subsequent  period,  the  papists  might  assert  that  this 
name  was  evidence  of  their  religion  being  first 
known  in  this  country,  he  ordered  it  to  be  called 
Hue's  Folly.  Thus,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  did  the 
cross  become  foolishness. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

"  In  such  a  time  as  thin,  it  is  not  meet 
That  every  nice  offence  should  bear  its  comment."  —  SHAKSPEARE. 

Sir  Christopher  Gardner.  —  Foments  Trouble.  —  Is  charged  with 
Bigamy.  —  Is  pursued.  —  Is  delivered  up  by  Indians.  —  Indian 
Custom  to  secure  a  Welcome.  —  Small-pox.  —  Trade  extended. 

—  Adventures  on  the  Connecticut.  —  Troubles  on  the  Kennebec. 

—  Captain  Hocking-  killed.  —  A  Plymouth  Magistrate  arrested 
in  Boston.  —  Excitement  at  Plymouth.  —  Deputies  sent  to  Bos- 
ton.—  Prayer  before  Business.  —  The  Defence. — The  Confes- 
sion.—  The  Adjustment.  —  A    Hurricane.  —  Its  dreadful    Rav- 
ages. —  Eclipse  of  the  Moon. 

THE  next  year,  both  of  the  colonies  had  trouble 
with  the  home  government,  in  consequence  of  the 
charge  of  rebellion  which  was  alleged  against  them 
by  Sir  Christopher  Gardner,  who,  it  is  supposed, 
was  stimulated  to  this  perfidy  by  Sir  Ferdinando 
Gorges  and  Captain  Mason,  whose  aspirations  were 
for  a  general  government  over  the  whole  of  New 
England.  Sir  Christopher  was  a  man  of  some  dis- 
tinction. He  was  related  to  Gardner,  the  bishop 
of  *Winchester,  and  was,  in  heart,  a  papist.  When 
he  first  arrived  in  Massachusetts,  he  professed  a 
deadness  to  the  things  of  this  world,  and  expressed 
a  desire  for  retirement,  where  he  could  give  himself 
to  the  cultivation  of  personal  piety,  without  moles- 
tation. He  applied  to  several  churches  for  admis- 


168  SIR    CHRISTOPHER    GARDNER. 

sion  to  membership;  but  as  he  was  attended  by  a 
handsome  young  woman,  whom  he  passed  off  as  his 
cousin,  but  to  whom  he  was  suspected  of  sustaining 
a  criminal  relation,  his  application  was  refused.  It 
was  reported  that  he  had  two  wives  in  England. 
When  this  accusation  reached  the  government  of 
Massachusetts,  they  determined  to  arrest  him.  Being 
informed  of  their  design,  Gardner  fled  from  their 
jurisdiction,  and  concealed  himself  among  the  Na- 
masket  Indians,  within  the  limits  of  the  Plymouth 
colony.  These  Indians  revealed  his  place  of  seclu- 
sion to  Governor  Bradford,  who  authorized  them  to 
seize  him  and  conduct  him  to  Plymouth,  but  to  in- 
flict upon  him  no  injury.  After  this,  the  natives 
were  on  the  alert  for  their  victim.  They  discovered 
him  at  a  short  distance  from  a  river,  and  attempted 
to  apprehend  him.  He  fled  from  them,  leaped  into 
a  canoe,  and  pushed  off  in  the  river.  Being  armed 
with  a  musket  and  rapier,  he  was  able  to  keep  his 
pursuers  at  a  respectful  distance,  especially  as  they 
were  ordered  to  do  him  no  injury.  If  they  had 
been  commanded  to  bring  him  to  the  colony,  dead 
or  alive,  by  letting  fly  a  shower  of  arrows  upon  him, 
they  could  easily  have  complied.  As  it  was,  they 
found  it  difficult  to  apprehend  him  without  a  viola- 
tion of  the  prohibition.  Soon,  an  accident  occurred 
in  their  favor.  As  the  fugitive  was  floating  down 
the  stream,  his  canoe  dashed  upon  a  rock,  and 


HE    FLEES,    AND    IS    TAKEN.  169 

was  immediately  overturned.  His  rapier  and  gun 
dropped  in  the  water,  and  were  lost.  A  small  dag- 
ger was  left,  which  he  immediately  drew.  As  the 
Indians  were  unwilling  either  to  inflict  or  to  receive 
injury,  they  did  not  approach  him  very  closely. 
They  pursued  a  different  method.  They  obtained 
some  long  poles,  and,  whilst  standing  at  a  consid- 
erable distance,  they  rapped  him  on  the  knuckles, 
and  knocked  the  dagger  from  his  hands.  Resist- 
ance was  then  unavailing,  and  he  yielded.  He  was 
taken  to  Plymouth  ;  from  thence,  at  the  requisition 
of  Governor  Winthrop,  he  was  removed  to  Boston 
as  a  prisoner,  and,  soon  after,  sent  back  to  England. 
The  charge  of  rebellion  which  he  preferred  against 
the  colonies  was  so  amply  rebutted,  —  so  satisfac- 
tory was  the  defence  of  the  colonists, — that  King 
Charles  said  "  he  would  have  them  severely  pun- 
ished, who  did  abuse  his  government  and  planta- 
tion." The  defendants  were  dismissed  with  expres- 
sions of  favor. 

Governor  Winthrop  relates  an  incident  as  illus- 
trative of  a  singular  custom  among  the  Indians. 
Mr.  Winslow  had  been  for  some  time  absent  on  an 
excursion  to  the  west,  as  far  as  Connecticut.  On 
his  return,  he  left  his  vessel  at  Narraganset,  with 
the  intention  of  journeying  the  rest  of  the  way  to 
Plymouth  by  land.  Massasoit,  his  old  friend  and 
patient,  offered  to  be  his  guide.  But  before  they 
15 


170  DECEITFUL    CUSTOM. 

commenced  their  march,  the  chief  sent  a  courier 
ahead,  to  tell  the  colonists  that  Winslow  was  dead, 
and  to  show  them  the  spot  where  he  was  slain. 
When  the  courier  reached  Plymouth,  and  communi- 
cated the  mournful  intelligence,  it  produced  deep 
and  universal  sorrow,  as  Winslow  was  one  of  their 
principal  men,  and  greatly  beloved.  The  next  day, 
Massasoit  arrived,  bringing  Winslow  with  him,  alive 
and  well.  Then  was  there  a  sudden  change  in  the 
feelings  of  the  Puritans.  Sorrow  endured  for  a 
night ;  joy  came  in  the  morning.  When  Massasoit 
was  examined  as  to  the  reason  for  sending,  this 
false  messenger,  he  replied  that  it  was  one  of  the 
customs  of  his  people,  to  render  their  return  the 
more  welcome  after  an  absence  from  home. 

In  1634,  the  small-pox  extensively  prevailed 
among  the  Indians.  Large  numbers  were  swept 
away. 

For  a  few  years  past,  the  colony  at  Plymouth 
had  been  gradually  extending  their  trade  with  the 
Indians,  in  various  directions,  as  far  as  the  Kenne- 
bec  on  the  east,  and  the  Connecticut  on  the  west. 
As  rival  colonies  had  sprung  up  at  different  points, 
collisions  sometimes  took  place  between  them,  in 
respect  to  their  rights  of  trade  with  certain  tribes. 
Plymouth  became  involved  in  trouble  with  the 
Dutch  of  Manhattan,  and  with  her  nearer  neighbor, 
the  Massachusetts  colony.  To  avoid  minuteness  of 


STEALING    A    VESSEL.  171 

detail  in    these   affairs,  we  shall  content   ourselves 
with  the  narration  of  one  or  two  incidents  only. 

A  Plymouth  vessel  was  lying  in  the  Connecticut 
River,  in  close  proximity  to  a  Dutch  fort.  The 
merchant  and  most  of  the  crew  were  on  shore,  un- 
suspicious of  danger.  A  Captain  Stone,  a  "  West 
Indian  of  St.  Christopher's,"  obtained  ail  interview 
with  the  commander  of  the  Dutch  fort,  and  plied 
him  so  copiously  with  spirituous  potations  as  to  pro- 
duce intoxication.  He  then  obtained  the  Dutch- 
man's leave  to  take  the  Puritan  vessel  which  wa? 
lying  in  the  river.  He  did  so,  and  immediately  fled 
with  his  prize  towards  Virginia.  Some  Dutch 
sailors  who  were  under  obligations  to. the  Puritan* 
for  kindnesses  which  they  had  received  from  them 
at  Plymouth,  perceiving  Stone's  villanous  purpose, 
and  being  determined  to  defeat  it,  if  possible,  pur- 
sued him  in  two  vessels,  overtook  him,  and  recap- 
tured the  prize.  Sometime  after  this,  Stone  was  in 
Massachusetts,  where  the  officers  of  the  law  served 
him  with  a  process.  To  effect  a  compromise,  he 
went  to  Plymouth.  In  a  misunderstanding  which 
he  had  with  the  governor,  not  being  satisfied  with 
using  hard  words,  he  drew  a  weapon,  and  would 
have  plunged  it  into  him,  if  he  had  not  been  re- 
strained by  the  governor's  attendants.  After  this, 
he  returned  to  Connecticut.  Being  asleep  in  the 
cabin  of  liis  vessel,  in  company  with  a  Captain 


172       TROUBLES  ON  THE  KENNEBEC. 

Norton,  he  was  attacked  by  the  savages.  Norton 
exhibited  great  bravery  in  the  struggle  which  fol- 
lowed. Some  gunpowder  which  had  been  carelessly 
left  upon  a  table,  in  the  melee  took  fire.  The  ex- 
plosion blinded  Norton  to  such  a  degree  that  he 
could  no  longer  defend  himself.  Both  were  slain. 
The  pirates  then  plundered  the  vessel,  fled,  and 
concealed  themselves  among  the  Pequot  tribe.  This 
was  among  the  causes  that  led  to  the  Pequot  war. 

Not  far  from  this  time,  two  of  the  magistrates 
of  Plymouth  were  on  the  Kennebec,  at  a  point 
embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  Plymouth  patent. 
Whilst  there,  a  pinnace,  owned  by  Lords  Say  and 
Seal,  and  under  the  command  of  Hocking,  entered 
the  Kennebec,  and  attempted  to  pass  up,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  trafficking  with  the  natives.  The  Plymouth 
magistrates  forbade  him.  He  refused  to  comply 
with  their  embargo.  He  insisted  upon  going  up, 
and  insolently  told  them  he  would  ascend  the  river, 
trade  with  the  Indians  in  defiance  of  them,  and 
would  "  lie  there  as  long  as  he  pleased."  As  he 
persevered  in  his  determination,  the  Plymouth  men 
followed  him  in  a  boat,  entreating  him  to  return. 
He  replied  with  insulting  language  and  blunt  denials. 
As  words  produced  no  effect,  they  resorted  to  other 
measures.  When  the  pinnace  came  to  anchor, 
they  approached  it  in  a  canoe,  and  severed  one  of 
the  cables,  and  attempted  to  treat  the  other  in  the 


A   MAGISTRATE    ARRESTED.  173 

same  manner.  Hocking  declared  that,  if  they  did 
not  desist,  he  would  shoot  them.  They  dared  him 
to  do  it,  and  persevered  in  the  use  of  their  knives 
upon  the  remaining  cable.  He  now  fired,  and  one 
of  them  in  the  canoe  fell  dead  !  They  returned  the 
fire,  and  killed  Hocking !  This  was  an  unfortunate 
affair  :  it  was  adapted  to  excite  prejudices  against 
the  Puritans,  and,  as  Governor  Winthrop  said  at  the 
time,  "to  bring  them  all  and  the  gospel  under  a 
common  reproach  of  cutting  one  another's  throats 
for  beaver."  In  May,  Mr.  John  Alden,  a  magis- 
trate of  Plymouth,  visited  Boston.  As  he  was 
present  at  the  time  of  the  above  catastrophe,  one  of 
the  relatives  of  Hocking  made  a  complaint  against 
him  in  General  Court,  and  had  him  arrested  and 
held  to  bail.  Winthrop,  governor  of  Massachusetts, 
then  wrote  to  the  colony  of  Plymouth,  informing 
them  of  the  arrest,  and  wishing  to  know  whether 
they  would  see  that  justice  was  done,  as  the  affair 
happened  in  their  jurisdiction.  He  also  informed 
them  that  they  made  the  arrest  as  a  public  expression 
of  their  condemnation  of  the  deed. 

When  this  letter  was  received,  and  the  Plymouth 
colony  were  informed  that  one  of  their  magistrates 
was  arrested  and  under  bail  in  Boston,  it  produced 
no  small  degree  of  excitement.  It  was  considered 
an  affair  of  such  grave  importance,  that  ex-governors 
Bradford  and  Winslow,  with  Mr.  Smith,  their  pastor, 
15* 


174  DEVOTION    WITH    BUSINESS. 

visited  Boston,  and  met,  in  conference  on  the  subject, 
the  magistrates  and  ministers  of  the  latter  place, 
among  whom  were  Governor  Winthrop,  Mr.  Wilson, 
and  Mr.  Cotton.  In  this  interview,  we  have  another 
development  of  the  devotional  character  of  the  Puri- 
tans, and  of  their  dependence  upon  a  higher  power 
for  guidance  in  times  of  perplexity  ;  we  see  how 
they  mingled  prayer  \vith  their  business  conferences. 
It  was  not  until  after  "  they  had  sought  the  Lord," 
that  they  entered  upon  their  deliberations.  The 
Plymouth  gentlemen  contended  that  they  had  an 
exclusive  right  to  the  trade  of  the  Kennebec ;  that 
Hocking  was  guilty  of  a  trespass,  and  that,  as  he 
iired  first,  the  one  who  killed  him  did  it  in  self- 
defence.  They  still,  however,  acknowledged  them- 
selves under  some  degree  of  guilt,  "  in  that  they  did 
hazard  man's  life  for  such  a  cause,  and  did  not 
rather  wait  to  preserve  their  rights  by  other  means." 
They  also  promised  to  be  more  careful,  and  avoid 
similar  offences  in  future.  The  result  of  this  con- 
ference was  so  favorable,  that  Governors  Winthrop 
and  Dudley,  of  Massachusetts,  used  their  influence 
in  England  in  behalf  of  Plymouth.  Lords  Say  and 
Seal,  in  whose  employ  Hocking  was,  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  though  at  first  they  were  highly  enraged, 
upon  learning  the  true  facts  in  the  case,  "  were 
pacified." 

On  the    15th    of  August,    1635,    Plymouth    was 


A    HURRICANE.  175 

visited  by  one  of  the  most  powerful  hurricanes  which 
has  ever  been  experienced  in  this  climate.  It  com- 
menced just  before  daylight,  and  gradually  increased, 
until  its  violence  was  most  terrific.  It  converted  the 
bay  into  an  ocean  of  mountain  billows  ;  vessels  were 
swallowed  up,  or  dashed  to  fragments  upon  the  rock- 
bound  coast.  In  some  places  the  tide  rose  twenty 
feet  perpendicularly,  so  that  the  affrighted  Indians 
were  obliged  to  ascend  trees,  and  cling  to  the 
branches,  to  prevent  themselves  from  being  swept 
away.  Many  houses  were  laid  level  with  the 
ground,  and  the  roofs  of  many  others  were  lifted, 
broken,  and  whirled  through  the  air  like  leaves  from 
the  forest.  All  the  corn  which  had  been  planted 
was  prostrated  to  the  earth,  but  being  advanced  far 
towards  maturity,  it  was  not  absolutely  destroyed. 
Morton  says,  "  It  blew  down  many  hundred  thou- 
sand of  trees,"  breaking  some  short,  off;  tearing  up 
others  by  the  roots,  whilst  the  tall  young  oaks  and 
walnuts  it  twisted  and  wound,  like  withes.  It  pre- 
sented a  wild  and  fearful  scene,  and  left  the  marks 
of  its  ravages  for  many  years.  It  came  from  the 
<outh-east,  changed  its  direction  frequently,  and  con- 
tinued in  its  greatest  violence  six  hours.  Two 
nights  afterward  there  was  a  great  eclipse  of  the 
moon. 


4Bff> 

CHAPTER    XV. 

"  Justice,  like  lightning,  ever  should  appear 
To  few  men's  ruin,  but  to  all  men's  fear."  —  SWETNAM. 

'•  Justice  must  be  from  violence  exempt ; 
But  fraud  's  her  only  object  of  contempt; 
Fraud  in  the  fox,  force  in  the  lion  dwells, 
But  justice  both  from  human  hearts  expels."  —  DEM-IAM. 

An  Indian  murdered.  —  Four  Englishmen  in  Want.  —  They  visit 
Roger  Williams.  —  Are  found  to  be  the  Murderers.  —  Three  are 
caught.  —  Their  Trial.  —  Singular  Difficulty. —  They  are  executed. 
—  Effect  of  Puritan  Justice  on  the  Indians.  —  Anecdote  of  Captain 
Standish. —  Alden  takes  his  new  Bride  home  on  a  Bull.  —  Con- 
federation of  the  New  England  Colonies.  —  Germ  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union.  —  Its  Influence. —  Indian  Alliances.  —  The  Removal 
of  the  whole  Colony  proposed.  —  The  Subject  considered  by  the 
Church.  —  Purchase  Eastham.  —  Found  to  be  more  unfavor- 
able than  Plymouth.  —  The  Project  abandoned.  —  Ex-Governor 
Prince  settles  at  Eastham. 

AFTER  the  execution  of  Billington,  the  account 
of  which  we  have  already  given,  no  murder  was  com- 
mitted in  the  colony  until  1638.  This  year  an  In- 
dian, who  had  made  a  trade  for  the  son  of  Canoni- 
ciis,  the  chief,  and  was  returning  home,  with  three 
coats  and  five  fathom  of  wampum,  seated  himself  in 
the  woods  near  the  edge  of  a  swamp,  probably  to 
rest.  Whilst  there,  four  Englishmen  came  along 
and  spoke  to  him.  One  of  them  asked  him  to  "drink 
tobacco  "  with  them,  (a  phrase  which  they  used  for 


ANOTHER   MURDER.  177 

smoking.)  He  arose  and  went  towards  the  individ- 
ual who  had  so  kindly  given  him  the  invitation,  and, 
as  he  reached  forth  his  hand  to  receive  the  offered 
pipe,  this  professed  friend  thrust  a  deadly  weapon 
through  his  leg  into  his  abdomen.  The  Indian 
sprang  back,  when  the  other  made  a  second  plunge, 
but  failed  to  reach  him.  Then  one  of  the  others 
followed  ;  but  his  blow  missed,  and  his  weapon  stuck 
in  the  ground.  The  wounded  Indian  now  fled. 
They  pursued  him,  but  he  was  successful  in  eluding 
them.  After  they  had  gone,  the  poor  fellow  crawled 
back  with  great  pain,  and  laid  himself  in  the  path 
that  he  might  be  discovered  and  receive  help.  This 
transpired  at  Pawtucket,  near  Providence,  but  within 
the  precincts  of  Plymouth  colony. 

Soon  after  this,  an  Indian  passing  through  Provi- 
dence, informed  Roger  Williams  that  there  were  four 
Englishmen  at  Pawtucket,  about  four  miles  distant, 
almost  starved  for  want  of  food.  With  his  charac- 
teristic kindness,  Mr.  Williams  immediately  sent 
them  provisions,  spirits,  and  a  cordial  invitation  to 
visit  Providence.  When  the  messenger  returned,  he 
informed  Mr.  Williams  that  one  of  them  was  Arthur 
Peach,  of  Plymouth,  an  Irishman,  and  another  was 
called  John  Barnes.  They  pleaded  the  fatigues  and 
soreness  of  travelling,  as  their  excuse  for  declining 
his  invitation.  The  next  morning,  however,  they 
came,  stating  that  they*were  turned  out  of  the  house 


178  THE    CRIMINALS    ARRESTED. 

where  they  were  at  Pawtucket,  because  some  Indians 
said  they  had  wounded  an  Englishman.  They  pre- 
tended that  they  had  lost  their  way  in  going  from 
Plymouth  to  Weymouth,  and  afterwards  in  coming 
from  Weymouth  to  Providence.  The  Sabbath  which 
had  elapsed  since  they  left  Plymouth,  they  said  they 
spent  in  resting  in  the  woods.  Shortly  after  they 
had  left  Providence,  an  old  Indian  arrived  there  and 
informed  Mr.  Williams,  that  whilst  four  Englishmen 
were  stopping  at  Pawtucket,  three  natives  arrived, 
saying  that  they  had  found  an  Indian  almost  dead  in 
the  woods,  who  had  been  attacked  by  four  Englishmen. 
They  inquired  whether  there  were  any  English  there, 
or  whether  any  had  been  seen.  When  Arthur  and 
his  companions  heard  of  these  inquiries,  they  got  up 
and  fled  hastily  in  the  night.  So  soon  as  Mr.  Wil- 
liams understood  the  facts  in  the  case,  he  sent  a 
messenger  in  pursuit  of  the  English,  whilst  himself 
went  to  the  wounded  man  in  the  woods  and  minis- 
tered, Samaritan-like,  to  his  wants.  Three  of  the 
Englishmen  were  apprehended  at  Rhode  Island,  and 
sent  to  Plymouth,  where  they  were  brought  to  trial. 
The  court  consisted  of  the  wisest,  most  experienced, 
and  best  men  of  the  colony,  embracing  Bradford, 
Winslow,  Prince,  Standish  and  others  of  similar 
character.  A  singular  difficulty  occurred  at  the 
trial,  which,  in  some  courts,  might  have  resulted  in 
the  acquittal  of  the  prisoners,  and  in  others  would 


TRIAL    AND    EXECUTION.  179 

have  led  to  a  postponement  of  the  trial.  Here  were 
three  men  tried  for  murder,  and  none  of  the  wit- 
nesses could  swear  that  the  wounded  man  was  dead. 
Mr.  Williams  and  a  Mr.  James  of  Providence  testi- 
fied that  the  wound  inflicted  was  mortal,  and  two 
Indians  in  court  swore  that  if  he  were  not  dead  from 
the  injury  he  received,  they  would  be  willing  to  die 
Themselves.  They  were  found  guilty  and  executed. 
Before  their  execution  they  made  a  full  confession 
of  the  crime,  and  acknowledged  that  they  did  it  in 
order  to  obtain  the  Indian's  wampum.  The  one 
who  escaped  concealed  himself  for  a  season,  and 
afterwards  left  the  country.  In  the  execution  of 
these  three  colonists  for  one  Indian,  the  Puritans  ex- 
hibited their  strong  sense  of  justice,  and  their  firm 
determination  to  protect,  not  only  themselves,  but 
also  the  natives,  in  the  possession  of  their  just  rights. 
It  was  important  that  the  Indians  should  be  con- 
vinced of  this,  as  otherwise,  when  injuries  were  done 
them,  they  would  take  the  law  into  their  own  hands 
and  inflict  summary  punishment.  Tliis  execution, 
which,  so  far  as  we  know,  was  unsought  for  on  their 
part,  must  have  convinced  them  of  the  certainty  of 
colonial  protection.  For  many  years  they  made  no 
attempts  to  avenge  the  injuries  they  received  from  in- 
dividual colonists,  but  left  the  execution  of  justice,  in 
such  cases,  to  the  English. 

It  will  be  a  relief  to  the  above  sombre  proceed- 


180  STANDISH    LOSES    MISS    MULLINS. 

ings,  if  we  relate  here  the  following  traditionary 
anecdote  of  one  of  the  above  jurymen,  which  illus- 
trates the  danger  of  one  gentleman  commissioning 
another  to  make  proposals  of  marriage  for  him  to 
the  lady  whose  hand  he  seeks. 

A  short  time  after  the  death  of  Mrs.  Standish,  the 
bereaved  captain  found  his  heart  filled  with  tender 
interest  for  Miss  Priscilla  Mullins,  daughter  of  Mr. 
William  Mullins.  He  cherished  the  impression  that 
if  she  could  be  persuaded  to  unite  her  fortunes  with 
his,  the  loss  which  he  had  experienced  would  be  re- 
paired. He,  therefore,  according  to  Puritan  custom, 
made  known  his  wishes  to  the  father  through  Mr. 
John  Alden,  as  his  messenger.  Mullins  made  no 
objection,  although  he  might  reasonably  have  done 
so,  on  account  of  the  decease  of  Mrs.  Standish 
having  been  so  recent.  He  gave  his  consent, 
but  informed  Alden  that  the  young  lady  must  be 
consulted.  Priscilla  was  called  into  the  room,  not 
knowing  for  what  purpose  she  was  wanted.  Al- 
den, a  man  of  noble  form,  of  fair,  and  somewhat 
florid  complexion,  and  engaging  manners,  arose  and 
delivered  his  message  for  Standish  in  befitting  lan- 
guage, and  in  a  prepossessing,  courteous  style. 

Priscilla  listened  attentively,  heard  every  word, 
and  then,  after  a  short  pause,  as  if  gathering  strength 
to  reply,  she  fixed  her  eyes  upon  the  messenger,  and 
said  with  a  frank  and  pleasant  countenance,  full  of 


A   BRIDE    RIDING    ON    A   BULL.  181 

meaning,  "  Prithee,  John,  why  do  you  not  speak  for 
yourself?  "  John's  ruddy  countenance  became  red ; 
he  took  the  hint,  made  a  polite  bow,  bade  farewell 
for  the  present,  and  returned  to  Standish  to  commu- 
nicate the  result  of  his  negotiation.  Thenceforward 
he  visited  for  himself,  and  ere  long  their  nuptials 
were  solemnized  in  due  form,  and  Miss  Priscilla 
Mullen  became  Mrs.  John  Alden.  Tradition  reports 
further,  that  when  Alden  visited  Cape  Cod  for  the 
purpose  of  entering  into  the  conjugal  relation  with 
Priscilla,  as  the  colony  then  had  no  horses,  he 
went  mounted  on  the  back  of  a  bull,  which  he  had 
covered  with  a  piece  of  handsome  broadcloth.  After 
the  marriage  ceremonies  were  performed,  he  re- 
linquished this  seat  to  his  new  bride.  Placing  her 
on  the  back  of  the  bull,  he  returned  home  in  joyous 
triumph,  leading  the  ungainly  animal  by  a  rope  fas- 
tened to  a  ring  in  its  nose.  In  relation  to  this  event 
Thatcher  says,  "  This  sample  of  primitive  gallantry 
would  ill  compare  with  that  of  Abraham's  servant, 
when,  by  proxy,  he  gallanted  Rebekah  on  her  jour- 
ney, with  a  splendid  retinue  of  damsels  and  servants 
seated  on  camels,  Isaac  going  out  to  meet  her.  Had 
the  servant  employed  bulls  instead  of  camels,  it  may 
be  doubted  whether  Rebekah  would  have  been  quite 
so  prompt  in  accepting  his  proposals.  As  soon  as 
the  question  was  put,  Rebekah  said,  '  I  will  go.' 
With  equal  propriety  he  might  have  said,  had  Mr. 
16 


182  CONFEDERATION    OF    THE    COLONIES. 

Alden  taken  a  camel  instead  of  a  bull,  Priscilla  Mul- 
lens might  have  declined.  They  both  employed  the 
creature  in  use  among  their  own  people.  We  are 
somewhat  inclined  to  the  belief,  that  in  each  case  the 
lady  was  influenced  more  by  the  man  than  the  ani- 
mal ;  more  by  the  home  that  was  offered  her,  than 
by  the  conveyance  tliither." 

We  have  already  intimated,  that,  after  the  planting 
of  Plymouth,  other  settlements  were  formed  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country.  They  increased  in 
numbers  and  importance.  Although  they  were  in- 
dependent of  each  other,  there  were  some  things  in 
which  they  had  a  mutual  interest.  After  the  expe- 
rience of  years,  it  was  found  desirable,  for  various 
reasons,  that  the  colonies  which  had  come  into  ex- 
istence in  New  England,  embracing  Massachusetts, 
Plymouth,  Connecticut.  New  Haven,  and  Saybrook, 
should  unite  together  upon  a  common  basis,  for 
mutual  council,  protection,  and  interest.  After  spend- 
ing much  time  in  consultation  and  correspondence 
upon  the  subject,  principles  of  agreement  were  finally 
settled,  and  a  CONFEDERATION  OF  THE  NEW  ENGLAND 
COLONIES  formed.  This  was  a  "  perpetual  league 
of  friendship  and  amity,  for  offence  and  defence, 
mutual  advice  and  succor,  upon  all  just  occasions, 
both  for  preserving  and  propagating  the  truths  and 
liberties  of  the  gospel,  and  for  their  own  mutual 
safety  and  welfare."  Though  the  language  of  the 


EFFECT  OF  THE  CONFEDERACY.       183 

articles  of  the  confederation  was  not  remarkable  for 
its  precision,  and  was  susceptible  of  a  liberal  con- 
struction, yet  the  interpretation  which  it  generally 
•received,  being  characterized  by  sobriety  and  wis- 
dom, no  modification  of  it  was  made  for  thirty  years. 
This  may  appropriately  be  regarded  as  the  germ  of 
the  American  Union.  Its  immediate  effect  was  to 
elevate  the  colonies  in  respectability  and  importance, 
in  the  estimation  of  the  Dutch,  the  French,  and  the 
Indians.  As  an  insult  to  one  was  an  insult  to  the 
whole  ;  as  all  were  pledged  to  defend  each,  in  case 
of  an  attack,  the  neighboring  colonies  of  other  na- 
tions, as  well  as  the  natives,  saw  that  no  one  planta- 
tion could  be  trifled  with  or  assaulted  with  impunity. 
The  vengeance  of  the  whole  confederation  would  at 
once  be  aroused.  Soon  after  the  union  was  formed, 
a  number  of  Indian  chiefs  entered  into  a  friendly 
alliance  with  the  English,  among  whom  were  Mian- 
tonomo  and  Uncas,  sagamores  of  the  powerful  Nar- 
ragansetts  and  the  Mohegans. 

At  one  time  the  project  was  seriously  entertained 
of  removing  the  colony  from  Plymouth.  The  soil 
was  so  unproductive,  and  the  location  so  unfavorable 
in  other  respects,  that  many  had  left,  and  others 
wanted  to  follow.  The  question  was  discussed  with 
much  interest  in  the  church.  There  was,  as  might 
be  supposed,  a  wide  difference  of  opinion.  Not  a 
few  were  strongly  opposed  to  the  removal,  who  yet 


184       PROPOSAL  TO  LEAVE  PLYMOUTH. 

expressed  a  willingness  to  acquiesce  rather  than  see 
the  church  go  to  dissolution.  A  majority  was  at  last 
obtained  in  favor  of  the  project.  But  where  shall 
they  go  ?  Different  places  were  proposed ;  and  it 
may  excite  a  smile  when  we  state  that  the  one 
selected  was  Eastham,  on  Cape  Cod,  an  exposed, 
barren,  and  sandy  location.  It  was  purchased  from 
the  Nauset  Indians.  But  upon  more  careful  exam- 
ination, it  was  found  to  be  less  desirable  than  Plym- 
outh. The  members  of  the  church  changed  their 
purpose,  and  resolved  to  remain  where  they  were. 
There  were  some  exceptions,  of  persons  who  could 
not,  or  would  not,  be  satisfied  with  their  old  location. 
These  bought  out  the  rights  of  the  church  to  East- 
ham,  removed  thither,  and  commenced  a  settlement 
themselves.  Thomas  Prince,  who  had  been  twice 
governor  of  the  colony,  was  one  of  them.  What 
would  have  been  the  fate  of  Plymouth,  and  of  the 
famous  "  Rock,"  if  all  had  removed,  we  leave  the 
speculative  to  conjecture. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

"  Such  is  our  mild  and  tolerant  way, 
We  only  curse  them  twice  a  day, 
According  to  a  form  that 's  set ; 
And  far  from  torturing,  only  let 
All  orthodox  believers  beat  'em, 
And  twitch  their  beards,  where'er  they  meet  'em."  —  MOORE. 

Quakers  ordered  out  of  the  Colony.  —  They  refuse  to  obey. — 
All  forbidden  to  harbor  Quakers.  —  Humphrey  Norton  impris- 
oned. —  Quakers'  Contempt  of  Government.  —  Their  Insolence  to 
the  Governor.  —  Refuse  to  take  Oath.  —  Are  whipped.  —  Nor- 
ton's Letters.  —  Fanaticism  always  troublesome.  —  No  Quaker 
or  Ranter  permitted  to  be  a  Freeman.  —  A  House  of  Correction 
ordered  to  be  built.  —  Six  Quakers  banished  on  Pain  of  Death. 

—  Milder  Laws.  —  Four  Persons  appointed  to  reason  with  them. 

—  One  of  these  becomes  a  Quaker. —  All  Persons  authorized  to 
arrest   them.  —  Their    Meeting's   forbidden.  —  Severity   excites 
Sympathy.  —  Rigorous  Measures  were  not  universally  approved. 

—  Charles  II.  ascends  the  Throne  of  England.  —  He  suppresses 
the    Persecutions.  —  Secretary   Rawson.  —  His    Daughter   Re- 
becca receives  the  Attentions  of  Thomas  Kumsey.  —  Marries 
him.  —  Accompanies  him   to  England.  —  Finds  a    Relative.  — 
Conduct  of  her  Husband.  —  Painful    Discovery.  —  Her  Aban- 
donment. —  Her  Self-reliance.  —  Embarks   for   Jamaica.  —  Ar- 
rival there.  —  Her  unhappy  End. 

IT  becomes  now  our  painful  duty  to  narrate 
events,  which  we  would  gladly  leave  untouched,  if 
we  could  consistently  with  fidelity.  As,  however, 
they  are  matters  of  history  ;  as  they  develop  impor- 
tant phases  of  character,  and  are  prolific  in  impor- 
tant lessons,  they  may  properly  claim  a  share  of  our 
16* 


186  QUAKERS    IMPRISONED. 

attention.  We  refer  to  the  treatment  of  the 
Quakers.  About  1657,  an  order  was  passed,  that 
if  any  one  brought  a  Quaker,  ranter,  or  other 
notorious  heretic  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  col- 
ony, and  should  be  ordered  by  a  magistrate  to 
return  him  to  the  place  whence  he  came,  they 
should  obey,  or  pay  a  fine  of  twenty  shillings  for 
every  week  that  such  obnoxious  person  remained  in 
the  colony  after  such  warning.  This,  however, 
was  only  the  beginning  of  sorrows.  In  despite  of 
the  twenty  shilling  law,  Quakers  did  come  within 
their  precincts  and  proclaim  their  hated  tenets. 
This  gave  occasion  for  a  severer  law.  It  was  en- 
acted that  no  person  should  harbor  or  entertain  any 
Quaker  in  the  colony,  under  a  penalty  of  five 
pounds  for  every  offence,  or  a  public  whipping. 

In  the  month  of  October,  1657,  Humphrey  Nor- 
ton was  examined  by  the  court,  who  found  him 
guilty  of  "  divers  horrid  errors,"  and  banished  him 
from  the  colony.  He  returned,  however,  in  com- 
pany with  another  Quaker  of  similar  spirit.  They 
were  arrested  and  imprisoned.  A  prominent  feature 
in  the  conduct  of  the  Quakers,  which  greatly  exas- 
perated the  court,  was  their  contempt  of  the  legal 
authorities.  They  gave  their  tongues  great  license, 
and  seem  to  have  imagined  that  they  were  honoring 
God*  by  their  insolent  defiance  of  the  civil  tribunals. 
Thus,  at  their  examination,  Norton  said  to  the  gov- 


THEIR    CONTEMPT    OF    AUTHORITY.  187 

ernor,  a  number  of  times,  "  Thou  liest ; "  "  Thomas, 
thou  art  a  malicious  man."  As  if  determined  to 
provoke  severity,  he  said  again  to  the  governor, 
"  Thy  clamorous  tongue  I  regard  no  more  than  the 
dust  under  my  feet ;  and  thou  art  like  a  scolding 
woman,  and  thou  pratest  and  deridest  me."  As  they 
professed  to  be  English  subjects,  the  court  ordered 
them  to  take  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  their  country. 
They  refused,  declaring  they  would  take  no  kind  of 
an  oath.  They  were  then  sentenced  to  be  whipped. 
After  the  sentence  was  executed,  and  whilst  they 
were  smarting  under  the  stripes  they  had  received, 
the  marshal  ordered  them  to  pay  a  fee  for  the 
whipping !  Thatcher  says,  "  In  our  times,  we 
should  think  public  whipping  to  be  a  sufficient 
punishment,  without  obliging  the  culprit  to  pay  the 
whipper's  fee."  The  fee  was  probably  regarded  as 
a  part  of  the  costs  of  court,  which  the  defaulted 
party  usually  pays.  Still,  it  has  somewhat  the  ap- 
pearance of  making  a  criminal  pay  the  costs  of  his 
execution,  scaffold  and  rope  included.  In  this  case, 
however,  they  refused,  and,  consequently,  were  re- 
committed to  prison,  where  they  remained  until  they 
compromised  the  affair  with  the  marshal,  when  they 
were  released,  and  left  the  colony.  In  order  to 
show  the  spirit  that  was  cherished,  and  the  language 
employed  on  that  occasion,  by  the  weaker  party, 
we  shall  give  a  few  extracts  from  Norton's  letters, 


188  QUAKER'S  INSOLENT  LANGUAGE. 

written  at  that  time.  These  are  essential  to  a  full 
view  of  the  facts.  In  one,  addressed  to  the  gov- 
ernor, written  just  after  his  punishment,  he  says, 
"  Thomas  Prince,  thou  hast  bent  thy  heart  to  work 
wickedness,  and  thy  tongue  hath  set  forth  deceit : 
thou  imaginest  mischief  upon  thy  bed,  and  hatchest 
thy  hatred  in  thy  secret  chamber:  the  strength  of 
darkness  is  over  thee,  and  a  malicious  mouth  hast 
thou  opened  against  God  and  his  anointed  ;  and  with 
thy  tongue  and  lips  hast  thou  uttered  perverse 
things :  thou  hast  slandered  the  innocent,  by  railing, 
lying,  and  false  accusations,  and  with  thy  barbarous 
heart  hast  thou  caused  their  blood  to  be  shed.  .  .  . 
The  curse,  causeless,  cannot  come  upon  thee,  nor 
the  vengeance  of  God  unjustly  cannot  fetch  thee 
up.  ...  The  deadly  drink  of  the  cup  of  indig- 
nation thou  cannot  escape,  and  the  grief  and  cause 
of  travail  will  not  be  greater  than  thine.  .  .  . 
Thou  hast  caused  to  defraud  the  righteous  owner 
of  his  goods,  and  a  heaping  it  up,  as  upon  a  hill, 
wherewith  thou  wilt  purchase  to  thyself  and  others 
a  field  of  blood,  wherein  to  bury  your  dead.  John 
Alden  is  to  thee  like  a  pack  horse,  whereupon  thou 
layest  thy  beastly  bag :  cursed  are  all  they  that 
have  a  hand  therein.  .  .  .  The  anguish  and  pain 
that  will  enter  thy  veins  will  be  like  gnawing  worms 
lodging  betwixt  thy  heart  and  liver.  When  these 
things  come  upon  thee,  and  thy  back  bowed  down 


FANATICISM.  189 

with  pain,  in  that  day  and  hour  thou  shalt  know  to 
thy  grief  that  prophets  of  the  Lord  we  are,  and  the 
God  of  vengeance  is  our  God." 

In  another  to  John  Alden,  less  violent  in  spirit, 
but  of  the  same  general  character,  he  says,  "  If 
there  be  in  thee  any  expectation  of  mercy,  do  thou 
withdraw  thy  body  forever  appearing  at  that  beastly 
bench,  where  the  law  of  God  is  cast  behindi  your 
backs.  .  .  .  Let  the  cursed  purse  be  cast  out  of 
thy  house,  wherein  is  held  the  goods  of  other  men." 

Both  of  these  letters  were  signed  by  Humphrey 
Norton.  The  spirit  of  fanaticism  which  they  ex- 
liibit  would  make  men  troublesome  in  any  com- 
munity where  they  were  not  restrained  by  law.  In 
our  own  day,  public  worship  has  been  disturbed, 
and  meetings  broken  up,  by  men  and  women  who 
were  controlled  by  similar  sentiments.  In  some  in- 
stances, they  were  prosecuted  and  punished.  The 
difference,  however,  between  these  prosecutions  and 
those  of  the  Quakers  consists  in  this :  The  Quakers 
were  tried  and  punished  for  their  sentiments  ;  the 
disturbers  of  the  peace,  in  our  day,  are  punished, 
not  for  their  sentiments,  but  for  their  unlawful  con- 
duct in  interfering  with  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
others. 

The  next  year,  it  was  enacted  that  no  "  Quaker, 
ranter,  or  any  such  corrupt  person,"  should  be  a 
freeman  of  the  corporation.  The  court  also 


190  QUAKERS    BANISHED. 

framed  another  bill,  with  this  explanatory  preamble : 
"  Whereas  sundry  persons,  both  Quakers  and  others, 
wander  up  and  down  in  this  jurisdiction,  and  follow 
no  lawful  calling  to  earn  their  own  bread,  and  also 
use  all  endeavors  to  subvert  civil  state,  and  pull 
down  all  churches  and  ordinances  of  God,  to  thrust 
us  out  of  the  ways  of  God,  notwithstanding  all 
former  laws  provided  for  the  contrary."  It  was 
therefore  ordered  that  a  house  of  correction  be 
built,  in  which  all  such  individuals,  with  all  "  idle 
persons,  or  rebellious  children,  or  servants  that  are 
stubborn  and  will  not  work,"  should  be  obliged  to 
earn  their  living  by  labor,  under  the  direction  of  an 
overseer. 

On  the  llth  of  May,  1659,  six  persons,  among 
whom  were  Lawrence  Southwick  and  wife,  were 
sentenced  to  depart  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
colony,  by  the  eighth  of  June,  on  pain  of  death  ! 
This  was  a  barbarous  sentence.  We  have  no  evi- 
dence, however,  that  this  extreme  penalty  was 
inflicted  upon  any  Quaker  in  the  Plymouth  colony. 
For  what  was  done  at  Boston,  in  the  Massachusetts 
settlement,  they  were  not  responsible.  The  trage- 
dies which  were  enacted  there,  during  this  period, 
will  be  described  in  another  volume  on  the  history 
of  that  colony.  They  would  be  out  of  place  here. 

Later  in  the  year,  the  laws  which  were  passed 
against  the  Quakers  at  Plymouth  assumed  a  milder 


ATTEMPT  TO  CONVERT  THEM.        191 

character.  They  authorized  the  seizure  of  all  books 
and  writings  which  contained  their  doctrines,  many 
of  which  had  been  circulated  throughout  the  colony. 
As  some  of  the  colonists  had  been  converted  to  the 
Quaker  belief,  it  was  enacted,  that  if  such  would 
remove  out  of  the  government  within  six  months, 
they  should  be  subjected  to  no  fine  ;  and  those  who 
were  too  poor  to  move,  should  receive  assistance  at 
the  public  expense. 

As  their  next  measure  for  the  prevention  of  the 
spread  of  this  unwelcome  heresy,  and  for  the  re- 
claiming of  those  who  had  already  embraced  it,  the 
government  commissioned  four  individuals  to  attend 
the  meetings  of  the  Quakers,  for  the  purpose  of 
convincing  them  of  the  error  of  their  ways.  This 
was  a  dangerous  experiment.  One  of  those  to 
whom  this  appointment  was  given  was  Isaac  Rob- 
inson, son  of  their  Leyden  pastor,  Rev.  John  Rob- 
inson. But  in  his  discussion  with  the  Quakers, 
instead  of  convincing  them  of  their  errors,  they 
persuaded  him  that  they  were  truths ;  instead  of 
healing  the  disease,  he  caught  the  contagion.  They 
made  him  a  convert.  By  embracing  their  sentiments, 
he  rendered  himself  obnoxious  to  the  government, 
was  dismissed  from  office,  and  "  exposed  to  much 
censure,  and  some  indignity." 

In  1660,  a  law  was  passed,  authorizing  all  per- 
sons to  apprehend  Quakers,  and  deliver  them  to  a 


192  QUAKERS    TO   BE    WHIPPED. 

constable,  that  they  might  be  brought  before  the  gov- 
ernor or  some  magistrate  for  examination.  In  order 
to  render  it  difficult  for  them  to  itinerate  through 
the  colony,  in  their  efforts  to  disseminate  their  doc- 
trine, or  to  escape  from  the  officers  of  justice,  it 
was  enacted  "  that  if  any  pson  or  psons  shall 
furnish  any  of  them  with  horse  or  horse  kind,  the 
same  to  bee  forfeited  and  seized  on,  for  the  use  of 
this  Govrment;  or  any  horses  that  they  shall  bring 
into  the  Govrment,  shalbee  brought  for  them  and 
they  make  use  of,  shalbee  forfeited,  as  aforsaid." 

The  next  year  it  was  enacted  that  if  any  Quaker 
came  into  any  of  the  towns  of  this  government,  they 
should  be  whipped  with  rods,  not  exceeding  fifteen 
stripes,  and  then  have  a  pass  to  leave  the  jurisdiction. 
If  any  were  found  without  their  pass,  or  not  acting 
according  to  it,  they  should  be  whipped  again.  Their 
meetings  were  forbidden  under  a  penalty  of  five 
pounds  to  the  owner  of  the  premises,  or  a  whipping. 
Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  these  enactments,  the 
Quakers  multiplied.  Sympathy  was  awakened  in 
their  favor.  Even  the  magistrates  shrunk  from  the 
execution  of  the  laws  against  them,  and  finally  they 
resorted  again  to  persuasion,  as  is  evident  from  the 
law  which  was  passed  to  break  up  their  monthly 
meetings.  It  was  enacted  that  Mr.  Constant  South- 
worth  and  William  Peabody  should  repair  to  these 
meetings,  with  the  marshal,  or  constable  of  the 


THE    KING    FORBIDS    PERSECUTION.  193 

town,  and  use  their  best  endeavors,  by  argument  and 
discourse,  to  convince  or  hinder  them. 

The  statement  should  not  be  omitted,  that  these 
rigorous  measures  against  the  Quakers  did  not  re- 
ceive the  unanimous  approval  of  the  government. 
Mr.  Cudworth,  Mr.  Allerton,  Mr.  Hatherly,  and  some 
others  opposed  them.  The  consequence  was,  they 
lost  their  offices  as  magistrates.  A  few  years,  how- 
ever, produced  a  great  change  in  public  sentiment, 
and  Cudworth,  Isaac  Robinson,  and  Hatherly  were 
restored  to  their  offices. 

When  Charles  II.  ascended  the  throne  of  England, 
the  inhabitants  of  Plymouth  sent  to  him  a  declara- 
tion of  their  allegiance.  This  was  soon  followed  by 
a  mandamus  from  the  king  commanding  the  prose- 
cutions against  the  Quakers  to  cease,  and  that  those 
under  arrest,  whether  condemned  or  not,  should  be 
sent  to  England,  with  a  specification  of  the  crimes 
alleged  against  them,  that  they  might  be  tried  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  of  the  kingdom.  This  royal 
mandate  was  followed  by  a  mitigation  of  the  sever- 
ities which  were  practised  against  them.  In  Plym- 
outh the  most  objectionable  laws  were  repealed,  and 
we  find  no  further  trace  of  their  persecution.  Thus 
terminated  this  humiliating  and  disgraceful  affair, 
the  prominent  elements  of  which  were  heated  fanati- 
cism and  intolerant  bigotry. 

During  the  persecutions  of  the  Quakers  in  Plyra- 
17 


194  REBECCA    RAWSON. 

outh,  proceedings  of  even  greater  severity  were  in- 
stituted against  them  in  the  colony  of  Massachusetts, 
of  which,  at  that  time,  Edward  Rawson  was  secre- 
tary, who  took  an  active  part  in  their  trials.  His 
name  frequently  appears  upon  the  record  of  that  pe- 
riod as  the  "  Persecutor." 

Rawson  had  twelve  children,  the  history  of  one 
of  whom  is  so  full  of  romance  and  tragedy,  as  can- 
not fail  to  interest  the  reader ;  we  refer  to  his 
daughter,  Rebecca.  She  was  a  talented  young  lady, 
of  great  personal  attractions,  and  a  well-cultivated 
mind.  One  of  her  contemporaries  described  her  as 
"  one  of  the  most  beautiful,  polite,  and  accom- 
plished young  ladies  in  Boston."  From  the  position 
which  her  father  occupied  in  the  government,  she 
doubtless  moved  in  the  most  elevated  circles  of  co- 
lonial society.  Among  her  admirers  was  a  base, 
unprincipled,  deceitful  fellow,  from  England,  whose 
name  was  Thomas  Rumsey,  but  who  passed  himself 
off  as  Sir  Thomas  Hale,  Jr.,  nephew  to  Lord  Chief 
Justice  Hale.  After  an  avowal  of  his  passion  for 
the  beautiful  Rebecca,  the  mock  Sir  Thomas  ven- 
tured to  make  her  proposals  of  marriage.  The 
young  lady,  with  her  other  qualities,  possessed  a  good 
share  of  "  worldly  ambition,"  and  regarding  the 
proffer  of  the  young  lord  a  favorable  offer,  the  ac- 
ceptance of  which  would  introduce  her  into  the 
fashionable  circles  of  England,  and  cherishing  also 


REBECCA    RAWSON    MARRIED.  IUD 

tender  sentiments  towards  him,  she  had  no  disposition 
to  refuse  his  hand.  Their  marriage  was  solemnized, 
July  1,  1679,  in  the  presence  of  about  forty  persons. 
This  was  only  the  first  act  of  the  drama.  After  re- 
ceiving the  congratulations  of  her  friends,  many  of 
whom  thought  she  had  been  singularly  fortunate  in 
the  connection,  the  young  bride  bade  them  farewell, 
and  embarked,  with  her  noble  husband  and  a  splen- 
did outfit,  for  the  shores  of  Old  England.  What 
hopes  and  fears,  what  visions  of  fancied  bliss  and 
forebodings  of  dreaded  evil,  passed  over  her  mind, 
during  her  long  and  tedious  voyage,  we  cannot  tell. 
We  only  know  that  in  due  time  she,  and  her  hand- 
some outfit,  safely  arrived.  Being  anxious  to  step 
on  the  soil  of  the  Empire  Isle,  she  made  a  hasty 
toilette,  and  went  on  shore  "  en  dishabille,"  in  com- 
pany with  her  husband.  She  succeeded  on  the  sec- 
ond day  in  finding  a  relative,  with  whom  they  lodged. 
Sir  Thomas,  Jr.,  knowing  that  the  denouement  of  his 
nefarious  plot  was  at  hand,  arose  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, took  the  keys  belonging  to  his  wife,  and  de- 
parted, telling  her  that  he  would  send  the  trunks 
ashore,  so  that  she  might  dress  for  dinner.  In  the 
course  of  the  morning  the  trunks  came,  but  as  her 
husband  had  the  keys,  they  could  not  be  opened. 
She  was  obliged  to  wait  for  his  return.  There  is  a 
limit  to  female  patience  ;  in  her  case  the  limit  was 
soon  reached.  Whether  from  any  part  of  his  con- 


]96        REBECCA  GOES  TO  ENGLAND. 

duct  on  shipboard,  or  since  their  lauding,  her  sus- 
picions were  awakened,  we  know  not ;  but,  after 
waiting  impatiently  in  vain,  till  two  o'clock,  for  his 
return,  she  determined  to  open  the  trunks  by  force. 
It  was  done  ;  when,  to  her  amazement,  she  found 
every  article  of  clothing,  useful  and  costly,  removed, 
and  the  trunks  tilled  with  worthless  combustibles ! 
She  was  overwhelmed  with  shame,  perplexity,  and 
sorrow.  Where  her  husband  had  gone,  or  what  had 
become  of  her  wardrobe,  it  was  equally  impossible 
to  tell.  The  relative  with  whom  she  stopped  took 
her  in  his  carriage  to  the  house  where  she  and  her 
husband  spent  the  preceding  night.  She  there  in- 
quired for  Sir  Thomas  Hale,  Jr.  "  He  has  not 
been  here  for  some  days,"  was  the  reply. 

"  He  was  surely  here  night  before  last,"  said  she. 
They  informed  her  that  she  was  mistaken ;  that  Sir 
Thomas  Hale,  Jr.,  had  not  been  there,  but  that 
Thomas  Rumsey  came  there  on  the  night  which  she 
had  specified,  with  a  young  lady.  "  Where  is  he 
now  ?  "  "  Gone  to  his  wife,  in  Canterbury."  The 
abominable  wickedness  of  Rumsey  and  the  condition 
of  the  unfortunate  Rebecca  were  now  fully  revealed. 
She  had  been  deceived  and  betrayed,  and  all  her 
hopes  of  future  elevation  ruined.  She  awoke  from 
her  dream  of  pleasure  and  aggrandizement  to  a  full 
realization  of  her  humiliating  position.  Instosid  of 
being  the  lawful  wife  of  a  man  of  honor  and  title, 


HER    HUSBAND    ABANDONS    HER.  197 

she  found  she  had  been  sustaining,  ignorantly  of 
course,  an  illegal  connection  with  a  base,  licentious 
fellow,  having  a  wife  in  England,  and  who,  not  sat- 
isfied with  ruining  her,  as  to  her  future  social  pros- 
pects, had  stripped  her  of  her  all,  so  that  she  had  not 
even  a  change  of  garments.  She  never  saw  him 
again !  Being  thus  robbed  and  abandoned  in  a 
strange  land,  and  having  too  much  spirit  to  be  depend- 
ent upon  her  friends,  she  threw  herself  upon  her  own 
industry  for  support.  Possessing  a  good  share  of 
natural  ingenuity  and  perseverance,  she  applied  her- 
self so  successfully  to  various  kinds  of  fancy  work, 
that  for  thirteen  years  she  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
-'  genteel  subsistence  for  herself  and  child."  At  the 
end  of  this  period,  she  determined  to  return  to  her 
own  country.  Leaving  her  child  in  the  care  of  her 
sister  in  England,  who  had  none  of  her  own,  she 
embarked  for  Jamaica  on  her  way  to  Boston,  in  a 
vessel  belonging  to  her  uncle.  Her  romantic  life 
was  here  doomed  to  a  tragical  end.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  June  9th,  1692,  whilst  her  uncle  was  on  shore, 
engaged  in  settling  his  accounts,  and  when  the  ves- 
sel was  ready  to  sail  for  Massachusetts,  the  island 
was  visited  with  a  tremendous  earthquake,  which 
swallowed  up  the  vessel  and  all  on  board,  among 
whom  was  the  injured  heroine  of  our  story.  The 
uncle  was  the  only  one  of  the  ship's  company  who 
was  saved.  Thus  terminated  the  eventful  career  of 
17* 


198  REBECCA'S  LIKENESS. 

the  beautiful,  accomplished,  yet  unfortunate  Rebecca 
Rawson.  A  knowledge  of  these  facts  will  give  a 
special  interest  to  her  likeness  in  the  present  volume, 
which  is  a  copy  of  her  original  portrait,  now  in  the 
possession  of  R.  R.  Dodge,  East  Sutton,  Mass. 


Et   Suce 


Born  in  Boston    1656  Died  at  Jbrl  Royal  (Jamaica)  1692 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

"  We  have  strict  statutes,  and  most  biting  laws, 
The  needful  bits  and  curbs  to  headstrong  steeds."  — SHAKSPEARE 

"  The  good  needs  fear  no  law  ; 
It  is  his  safety,  and  the  bad  man's  awe."  —  MASSI.NGER. 

The  Enactment  of  Law  develops  Character.  —  Trial  by  Jury.  — 
Wants  of  the  Colony  to  be  supplied  first.  —  Exports  forbidden. 

—  Those  who  refused  the  Office    of  Governor  to  be  fined.  — 
Bradford    released   by   Importunity.  —  How   different   now.  — 
Marriage  forbidden  without  the  Consent  of  Parents.  —  Intentions 
of  Marriage  to  be  published.  —  Consent  of  Parents  to  be  ob- 
tained to  address  their  Daughters.  —  Punishment  to  depend  upon 
the  "  Quality  "  of  the  Offender.  —  Short  Sleeves  forbidden.  — 
Laws  against  Contempt  of  the  Scriptures.  —  Sabbath-breaking 
and    Gambling   Laws    executed.  —  Stocks    and    Cage    always 
ready.  —  Psalm    Singing.  —  Courtship    punished.  —  Abuse   of 
Husbands.  —  Blackbirds'   Heads   to  be  obtained.  —  Effects   of 
Union  of  Church  and  State.  — Every  Colony  to  have  a  Church. 

—  Church  Rates.  — Whales.  — Ministers  forbidden  to  leave  their 
People.  —  Meeting-house  in  every  Town.  —  Parental  Instruction. 

—  Schools.  —  Arms  must  be  taken  to  Meeting.  —  Indians  and 
Wolves.  —  Effects  of  these  Laws.  —  The  Bible  the  Basis  of  their 
Legislation. 

THE  character  of  a  people  may  be  learned  from 
their  legislation.  If  the  laws  of  some  lost  race  were 
to  be  found,  it  would  not  be  difficult,  though  not 
another  word  of  their  annals  should  be  discovered, 
to  ascertain  their  genius  and  spirit.  The  peculiari- 
ties of  the  Puritans  are  as  fully  developed  in  their 
laws  as  in  any  events  of  their  history.  Some  of 


200  PURITAN    LAWS. 

their  enactments  exhibit  profound  wisdom,  sagacity, 
and  forecast ;  others  of  them  show  their  strong  at- 
tachment to  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  Bible  ; 
whilst  another  class  descend  to  matters  of  such 
trivial  nature,  as  to  appear  puerile.  With  reference 
to  this  latter  class,  the  Pilgrims  acted  upon  the  prin- 
ciple of  nipping  crime  in  the  bud.  The  things  for- 
bidden may  have  been,  in  themselves,  comparatively 
unimportant ;  but  their  influence,  if  unchecked,  might 
have  led  to  gross  crimes.  By  destroying  the  seeds, 
they  labored  to  prevent  the  fruits.  Those  who  wish 
to  go  fully  into  this  subject,  are  referred  to  the 
"  Charter  and  Laws  of  the  Colony  of  New  Plymouth," 
which  were  collected  and  published,  agreeably  to  a 
resolve  of  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts,  in  1836. 
We  shall  only  give  a  few  of  the  more  important  or 
peculiar  of  them. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact,  and  shows  the  desire  on 
the  part  of  the  colonists  to  guard  the  rights  of  indi- 
viduals, that  the  first  law  on  record  in  the  above 
volume  secures  trial  by  a  jury  consisting  of  twelve 
honest  men,  under  oath.  This  was  in  1623.  At  a 
later  period,  6d.  was  allowed  each  juror,  and  12e£  to 
the  foreman,  as  fees. 

Three  years  after,  it  was  enacted  that  no  handi- 
craftsman, as  tailors,  shoemakers,  carpenters,  joiners, 
smiths,  or  sawyers,  belonging  to  the  plantation,  should 
work  for  any  strangers  or  foreigners,  until  the 
necessities  of  the  colony  were  served. 


LAWS    COMPELLING    PUBLIC    SERVICES.          201 

At  the  same  time,  in  order  to  prevent  a  renewal 
of  the  dreadful  scarcity  which  had  been  previously 
experienced,  the  exportation  of  corn,  beans,  and 
peas  was  prohibited,  under  the  penalty  of  a  confis- 
cation of  all  such  exports. 

So  small  were  the  honors  and  emoluments  of 
office,  contrasted  with  its  responsibilities,  or  so 
limited  was  the  ambition  of  the  Pilgrim  fathers,  that 
it  seems  not  to  have  been  an  easy  thing  to  find  in- 
cumbents for  the  highest  stations  in  the  government. 
Bradford,  we  know,  earnestly  desired  not  to  be  re- 
chosen  governor.  He  thought  the  honors  and  labors 
of  office  ought  to  be  distributed.  But  he  was  over- 
ruled, and  kept  in.  In  1632,  it  was  enacted,  that  if 
any  were  elected  to  the  office  of  governor,  and 
would  not  serve,  he  should  be  fined  twenty  pounds 
sterling  !  If  he  refused  paying  the  fine,  it  was  to  be 
levied  out  of  his  goods  or  chattels.  It  was  also  or- 
dered, that,  if  any  Avere  chosen  to  the  office  of  coun- 
cil, and  declined  its  acceptance,  they  should  be  fined 
ten  pounds  each.  The  only  exception  specified 
was  in  the  case  of  one  who  should  be  chosen  gov- 
ernor a  second  time,  after  having  held  the  office  the 
preceding  year.  Such  a  one  might  decline  without 
the  liability  of  a  fine,  and  then  the  company  were  to 
proceed  to  a  new  election,  "  except  they  can  prevail 
upon  him  by  entreaty."  Governor  Winthrop,  in  his 
Journal,  records  in  1633,  "Mr.  Edward  Winslow 


202  LAWS    CONCERNING    MARRIAGE. 

chosen  governor  of  Plymouth,  Mr.  Bradford  having 
been  governor  about  ten  years,  and  now  by  impor- 
tunity got  of."  What  a  wonderful  contrast  does  all 
this  present  with  that  unprincipled  scrambling  for 
office,  that  anxiety  for  public  honors  and  emolu- 
ments, with  which  the  country  at  the  present  day  is 
so  rife  !  Who  now  declines  the  office  of  governor  1 
In  what  portion  of  our  land  does  a  necessity  exist 
for  a  law  similar  to  the  above,  in  order  to  secure 
incumbents  for  the  highest  local  offices  ? 

No  persons  under  "  the  covert  of  parents  "  were 
allowed  to  marry  without  their  parents'  consent.  If 
this  could  not  be  obtained,  they  were  then  to  get  the 
permission  of  the  governor,  or  some  of  his  assist- 
ants. After  which  they  were  to  be  published  three- 
times  in  a  public  meeting,  or,  if  no  such  meetings  were 
held  in  the  town,  their  intention  of  marriage  was  to 
be  posted  up  in  some  conspicuous  place  for  fifteen 
days. 

A  similar  law  requiring  intentions  of  marriage  to 
be  published  fourteen  days,  including  three  public 
days,  was  in  force  in  Massachusetts,  until  within  a 
year  or  two.  It  became  the  practice  of  the  editors 
of  some  of  the  daily  journals  to  insert  these  inten- 
tions of  marriage  in  their  papers.  This,  of  course, 
gave  greater  publicity  to  the  intentions,  and  was  the 
more  repulsive  to  the  parties  concerned.  After  this, 
many  individuals,  in  order  to  escape  the  necessity 


PROFANITY     FORBIDDEN.  203 

of  giving  such  notoriety  to  their  private  proceedings, 
would  slip  into  some  neighboring  state,  where  they 
could  be  united  in  the  "  holy  bands  of  matrimony," 
without  any  publicity  whatever.  The  law  is  now 
altered  in  Massachusetts.  All  that  is  required  at 
present,  is  to  obtain  a  certificate  from  the  city  regis- 
trar, or  the  town  clerk,  without  any  previous  pub- 
lication of  intention,  and  the  marriage  may  then  be 
immediately  solemnized. 

In  1638,  it  was  enacted  that  if  any  man   offered 

proposals  of  marriage   to   any  young    lady  without 

first  obtaining  the  consent  of  her  parents   or  master, 

lie  should  submit  to  a  fine,  or  to  corporal  punishment, 

or  to  both,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

Laws  were  also  passed  which  punished  "  profane 
swearing  by  the  name  of  God,  or  any  of  his  titles, 
attributes,  word,  or  works,"  with  a  fine  of  twelve 
pence  for  every  offence,  or  exposure  in  the  stocks, 
not  to  exceed  three  hours,  or  imprisonment  "  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  and  QUALITY  OF  THE  PERSON."  It 
would  appear  from  this,  that  the  degree  of  punish- 
ment was  somewhat  dependent  upon  the  social  po- 
sition of  the  offender  —  the  more  elevated  was  the 
criminal,  the  heavier  the  penalty.  They  did  not, 
however,  imitate  the  example  of  the  Massachusetts 
colony,  who,  about  the  same  time,  passed  the  fol- 
lowing order,  which  must  have  been  of  special  in- 
terest to  the  ladies  :  "  No  garment  shall  be  made 


204  SHORT    SLEEVES    FORBIDDEN. 

with  short  sleeves,  and  such  as  have  garments  with 
short  sleeves  shall  not  wear  the  same,  unless  they 
cover  the  arm  to  the  wrist ;  and  hereafter,  no  person 
whatever  shall  make  any  garment  for  women  with 
sleeves  more  than  half  an  ell  wide,"  (twenty-two  and 
a  half  inches.) 

Denial  of  the  Scriptures  as  a  rule  of  life  was 
punishable  with  whipping.  If  any  "  Christian,  so 
called,"  spoke  contemptuously  of  the  Scripture,  or 
of  the  holy  penmen  thereof,  they  were  to  be  pun- 
ished by  fine  or  whipping. 

Laws  were  also  passed  punishing  those  who  vio- 
lated the  Sabbath  —  who  neglected  public  worship — 
who  behaved  contemptuously  towards  the  minister, 
the  preaching,  or  the  ordinances  —  who  endeavored 
to  subvert  the  Christian  faith  by  broaching  danger- 
ous heresies  —  who  were  guilty  of  drunkenness,  of 
gambling  with  cards,  dice,  "  cross  and  pile,  or  any 
unlawful  game  wherein  there  is  a  lottery,"  or  of 
charging  too  much  profit  on  articles  they  sold. 
These  laws  were  not  dead  letters.  It  appears  as  if 
they  were  not  enacted  until  there  was  occasion  for 
them,  and  then  they  were  carried  into  execution. 
We  accordingly  find  that  Stephen  Hopkins  was 
complained  of  for  selling  beer  at  twopence  a  quart, 
which  was  worth  only  a  penny.  Thomas  Clark,  for 
selling  a  pair  of  boots  and  spurs  for  fifteen  shillings, 
for  which  he  gave  but  ten,  was  fined  thirty  shillings. 


t 

MISS    BOULTON    IN   THE    STOCKS.  205 

J.  B.  was  complained  of  for  buying  rye  at  four  shil- 
lings per  bushel,  and  selling  it  at  five  shillings.  He 
was  also  presented  for  selling  thread  at  five  shillings 
per  pound.  The  Pilgrims  were  unwilling  that  any 
one  should  charge  an  exorbitant  profit  on  what  they 
sold.  To  a  fair  remuneration  from  business  they 
had  no  objection.  They  were  especially  opposed  to 
forestalling. 

Nathaniel  Bassett  and  Joseph  Prior  entered  into 
a  church  at  Duxbury,  and  disturbed  the  meeting. 
They  were  tried  for  their  offence,  and,  at  the  next 
town  meeting,  or  training  day,  both  were  fastened  to 
a  post,  in  some  conspicuous  place,  having  upon  their 
heads  a  paper,  on  which  their  crime  was  written  in 
large  letters.  A  Miss  Boulton  was  guilty  of  slander. 
The  court  condemned  her  to  the  humiliating  punish- 
ment of  sitting  in  the  stocks,  with  a  paper  fastened  to 
her,  written  with  capital  letters,  probably  containing 
her  crime.  John  Phillips,  for  drinking  tobacco  in  the 
highway,  that  is,  for  smoking  there,  was  fined  twelve 
shillings.  S.  H.,  for  carrying  a  grist  of  corn  from 
the  mill  on  Sunday,  was  sentenced  to  a  fine  of 
twenty  shillings,  or  to  be  whipped.  And  W.  F.,  for 
permitting  him  to  take  it  from  the  mill,  was  fined  ten 
shillings. 

J.  W.  was  ordered  to*  be  sharply  reproved  for 
writing  a  note  on  common  business,  on  Lord's  day. 

John  Barnes,  for  Sabbath-breaking,  was  sentenced 
18 


206 


EACH    TOWN    TO    PROVIDE    STOCKS. 


to  a  fine  of  thirty  shillings,  and  to  the  stocks  one 
hour.  William  Adey,  for  a  similar  offence,  received 
a  severe  whipping  at  the  post. 

In  order  to  be  always  provided  for  the  immediate 
execution  of  these  minor  penalties,  it  was  ordered 
that  every  constablewick  should  be  provided  with  a 
pair  of  stocks,  and  a  cage,  of  sufficient  strength  to 
detain  a  prisoner.  These  were  continued  in  use,  in 
different  towns,  until  within  the  present  half  century. 


Prisoners  in  the  Stocks. 

The  court  authorized  Mr.  Hatherly  to  admonish  a 
woman,  who  had  been  brought  before  them,  "  to  be 
wary  of  giving  offence  to  others  by  unnecessary 
talking."  R.  B.  was  summoned  to  appear  and 
answer  for  speaking  contemptuously  of  psalm  sing- 
ing. He  was  convicted  of  the  offence.  The  court 
sharply  admonished  him,  and  ordered  him  to  ac- 


LAW  CONCERNING  BLACKBIRDS.       207 

knowledge  his  fault,  which  he  promised  to  do,  and  was 
discharged. 

Mr.  A.  H.,  for  making  proposals  of  marriage  to  a 
young  lady,  Miss  E.  P.,  and  prosecuting  the  same 
contrary  to  the  parents'  wishes,  and  without  their 
consent,  and  "  directly  contrary  to  their  mind  and 
will,"  was  sentenced  to  a  fine  of  five  pounds,  and  to 
be  put  under  bonds  for  good  behavior,  and  desist 
the  use  of  any  means  to  obtain  or  retain  her  affec- 
tions. The  bond  stated  that,  "  Whereas  the  said  A. 
H.  hath  disorderly  and  unrighteously  endeavored  to 
obtain  the  affections  of  Miss  E.  P.,  against  the 
mind  and  will  of  her  parents :  if,  therefore,  the  said 
A.  H.  shall,  for  the  future,  refrain  and  desist  the  use 
of  any  means  to  obtain  or  retain  her  affections,  as 
aforesaid,  and  appear  at  court  the  first  Tuesday  of 
July  next,  and  be  of  good  behavior,"  &c.,  he  shall 
be  released.  A.  H.  did  "  solemnly  and  seriously  en- 
gage before  the  court,  that  he  will  wholly  desist,  and 
never  apply  himself  for  the  future,  as  formerly  he 
hath  done,  to  Miss  E.  P.,  in  reference  to  marriage." 
He  was  accordingly  released  the  next  July. 

Women,  for  abusing  their  husbands,  or  striking 
their  fathers-in-law,  were  sentenced  to  be  fined  or  to 
be  whipped  at  the  post. 

In  town  meeting  it  was  ordered  that  every  man  in 
the  town  procure  twelve  blackbirds'  heads,  on  pain 
of  paying  a  fine  of  two  shillings  for  every  default, 


'208  CHURCH    AND    STATE. 

or  twopence  apiece  for  all  that  fell  short  of  the 
required  number. 

It  is  difficult  for  us  at  the  present  time  fully  to 
realize  the  peculiarity  in  the  practical  working  of 
their  system,  arising  from  the  union  of  church  and 
state.  The  leading  men  in  the  government  were 
•also  the  influential  men  of  the  church.  The  same  act, 
if  committed  by  a  member  of  the  church,  would  be 
an  offence  against  both  the  church  and  the  govern- 
ment, and  might  subject  the  offender  to  a  trial  before 
each ;  and  even  then,  the  same  individuals  would  be  his 
judges.  In  one  relation,  they  would  act  as  govern- 
ment officers  ;  in  the  other,  as  members  or  officers 
of  the  church. 

Civil  and  ecclesiastical  relations  were  so  inter- 
laced, that  the  government  not  only  took  the  church 
under  its  protection,  but  was  purposely  adjusted  to 
meet  her  wants.  To  the  Puritans,  religion  was  the 
most  important  of  all  interests,  and  civil  government 
was  valuable  in  proportion  as  it  secured  to  them 
their  religious  privileges.  In  their  view,  the  church 
was  like  a  magnificent  temple,  and  civil  government 
like  the  scaffolding,  useful,  mainly,  for  the  assistance 
which  it  rendered  towards  the  erection  and  preser- 
vation of  that  temple.  Hence  their  various  legal 
enactments  respecting  the  constitution  of  churches, 
the  erection  of  places  of  worship,  and  the  support 
of  the  ministry. 


WHALES    AND    MINISTERS.  209 

No  new  colony  was  allowed  to  be  planted  unless 
enough  joined  in  it  to  form  a  congregation  for  the 
observance  of  public  worship  ;  and  then  the  people, 
if  they  refused  to  support  their  minister  voluntarily, 
were  by  law  assessed,  in  proportion  to  their  abilities, 
for  his  maintenance.  For  a  number  of  years,  these 
church  rates  were  collected  by  the  minister  himself; 
but  as  this  proved  troublesome  to  the  pastor,  and 
gave  occasion  for  prejudice  against  him,  it  was 
enacted,  in  1670,  that  two  persons  should  be  ap- 
pointed to  perform  this  duty.  If  the  people  refused 
payment,  the  rates  were  to  be  obtained  by  distraint 
upon  their  estates. 

Occasionally,  whales  used  to  be  driven  ashore 
and  die,  when  the  people  would  obtain  from  them 
their  oil.  It  was  enacted  at  an  early  period,  that 
when  such  an  incident  occurred,  or  when  any  whale 
was  cut  up  at  sea,  and  brought  on  shore,  one  full 
hogshead  of  oil  should  be  paid  to  the  county.  The 
court  also  proposed,  as  a  "  thing  very  commendable 
and  beneficial  to  the  towns  where  God's  providence 
shall  cast  any  whales,  if  they  should  agree  to  set 
apart  some  portion  of  every  such  fish  or  oil  for  the 
encouragement  of  an  able,  godly  ministry."  It  is 
not  improbable  that  this  singular  provision  was  sug- 
gested by  the  fact,  that,  in  ancient  times,  a  whale 
had  been  employed  for  the  preservation  of  a  prophet 
of  the  Lord.  A  law  was  also  passed,  preventing 
18* 


210  LAWS    CONCERNING    CHILDREN,    ETC. 

any  pastor  or  teacher  from  leaving  his  church  before 
his  complaint  had  been  made  known  to  the  magis- 
trates, and  they  had  given  both  sides  a  hearing.  If 
the  difficulty  was  owing  to  the  hearers  of  such  min- 
ister, the  magistrates  were  to  use  all  "  gentle  means 
to  upbraid  them  to  do  their  duty  therein."  If  these 
were  unsuccessful,  they  were  then  authorized  to 
employ  such  other  measures  "  as  may  put  them 
upon  their  duty." 

In  1675,  it  was  enacted  that  a  meeting-house 
should  be  erected  in  every  town  in  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  colony.  If  any  town  neglected  to  obey  this 
law,  then  the  governor  or  the  magistrates  should 
appoint  persons  to  build  it,  according  to  the  wants 
and  the  wealth  of  the  people,  and  charge  the  ex- 
pense of  it  to  the  inhabitants  and  proprietors  of  the 
town,  by  whom  it  should  be  paid. 

Parents  were  required  to  see  that  their  children 
were  taught  to  read  the  Scriptures,  and  to  recite 
some  short,  orthodox  catechism,  without  book ;  and 
also,  that  they  Mrere  brought  up  to  some  honest 
(•ailing,  that  would  make  them  useful  to  themselves 
and  their  country. 

The  towns  were  advised  to  obtain  a  schoolmaster 
to  "  train  up  children  to  reading  and  writing."  A 
free  school  was  established,  at  an  expense  of  thirty- 
three  pounds  a  year,  which  expense  was  to  be  paid 
cut  of  the  profits  of  the  Cape  Cod  fishery. 


CHARACTER    OF    THEIR   LAWS.  211 

When  danger  was  apprehended  from  the  Indians, 
every  one  that  went  to  meeting  on  Lord's  day  was 
ordered  to  take  arms,  and  at  least  six  charges  of 
powder  and  shot,  under  a  penalty  of  two  shillings 
for  every  omission.  At  the  same  time,  it  was  en- 
acted that  whosoever  "  shall  shoot  off  any  gun  on  any 
unnecessary  occasion,  or  at  any  game  whatsoever, 
except  at  an  Indian  or  a  wolf,  shall  forfeit  five  shil- 
lings for  every  such  shot,  till  further  liberty  shall  be 
given." 

The  enactments  which  we  have  now  given  are 
sufficient  to  evince  the  spirit  and  character  of  our 
Pilgrim  fathers.  Although  some  of  their  laws  ar- 
rest the  attention  by  their  singularity,  yet  their 
code,  as  a  whole,  was  adapted  to  secure  a  higher 
moral  character  to  their  community  than  would  have 
been  attained  by  the  adoption  of  the  then  existing 
laws  of  any  other  people.  With  reference  to  many 
subjects,  they  made  the  Bible  the  basis  of  their 
legislation.  They  adopted  not  a  few  of  the  moral 
precepts  and  the  penalties  of  Moses.  It  is  this 
which  gives  an  appearance  of  religious  affectation, 
and  even  of  bigotry,  to  some  of  their  requirements. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

"  Between  the  acting  of  a  dreadful  thing, 
And  the  first  motion,  all  the  interim  is 
Like  a  phantasma,  or  a  hideous  dream  ; 
The  genius  and  the  mortal  instruments 
Are  then  in  council ;  and  the  state  of  man, 
Like  to  a  little  kingdom,  suffers  then 
The  nature  of  an  insurrection."  —  SHAKSPEARC. 

Fifty  Years  of  Peace.  —  New  Settlements.  —  Converted  Indians. 

—  Native  Preachers.  —  Philip  and  the  Button.  —  Indian  Magis- 
trates.—  Indian  Warrant.  —  Alexander  succeeds    Massasoit. — 
Suspicions  against  him.  —  His  Death.  —  Philip  becomes  Grand 
Sachem.  —  Pursues  John  Gibbs   for   reviling  the  Dead.  —  His 
Alliance  with  the  Narragansetts.  —  He  desires  Revenge.  —  Or- 
dered to  come  to  Plymouth.  —  Declines.  —  Invites  the  Govenior 
to  come  to  him.  —  They  meet  at  Taunton.  —  Singular  Scene  in 
a  Church.  —  The  Treaty.  —  Indignant    Sachem.  —  Treaty  vio- 
lated. —  Conference    at    Plymouth.  —  Indian    Confederacy.  — 
Philip's  deep  Plot  against  the  English.  —  Their  Security.  —  Phil- 
ip angry  with  Sassamou.  — The  latter  flees  to  the  English.  —  The 
Plot   revealed.  —  Sassamon    missing.  —  Philip  again    examined. 

—  No  Confession. —  Suspicions  increase. 

AFTER  the  successful  attack  of  Captain  Standish 
upon  the  Massachusetts  Indians  at  Weymouth,  no 
other  attempts  were  made  against  the  English  by 
the  natives  for  a  period  of  fifty  years.  During 
this  time,  such  was  the  mutual  confidence  which 
was  cheeshed  between  the  two  parties,  that  they 
Hot  only  interchanged  visits,  and  travelled  fearlessly 
through  each  other's  respective  jurisdictions,  but 


PRAYING    INDIANS.  213 

» 

Indians  dwelt  in  the  colony,  and  were  subject  to 
English  laws. 

New  English  settlements  were  formed  in  various 
parts  of  the  different  colonies  in  Massachusetts  Bay, 
on  the  Connecticut  River,  and  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Rhode  Island.  Efforts  had  also  been  success- 
ful for  the  instruction  and  conversion  of  the  natives. 
Indian  churches  had  been  formed  at  Provincetown, 
Eastham,  Wellfleet,  Chatham,  Yarmouth,  Barn- 
stable,  Sandwich,  Wareham,  Middleborough,  and 
Marshpee.  These  were  the  fruits  of  the  Christian 
zeal  and  indefatigable  perseverance  of  Richard 
Bourne,  of  Sandwich.  Through  his  patient  labors, 
many  of  these  Indians  could  read  and  write  their 
own  language.  They  had  also  received  consider- 
able knowledge  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures.  Four  of 
them  had  made  such  progress  in  Christian  knowl- 
edge, that  they  were  approbated  as  preachers  to 
their  own  tribes,  and  labored  as  Mr.  Bourne's 
assistants.  In  1685,  there  were  fourteen  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  converted  Indians  in  the  colony. 
They  were  generally  called  "  praying  Indians." 

Conversions  were  effected  at  Martha's  Vineyard 
and  Nantucket,  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Thomas  Mayhew.  So  successful  were  the  mis- 
sionary efforts  of  this  man  of  God,  that  on  the 
Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  six  meetings  weje 
held  in  different  places,  every  Sabbath.  There 


214  PHILIP    AND    THE    BUTTON. 

were  ten  native  preachers,  who,  according  to  May- 
hew's  testimony,  were  of  "  good  knowledge  and 
holy  conversation."  Nearly  all  the  natives  in  the 
colony  of  Massachusetts  had  embraced  Christianity. 
They  had  been  favored  with  the  instructions  of  the 
apostle  Eliot.  Many  of  the  natives  resisted  all  at- 
tempts at  their  conversion.  Massasoit,  though  a  firm 
friend  to  the  English,  obstinately  refused  to  abandon 
the  religion  of  his  fathers.  Phuip,  his  son,  on  one 
occasion,  after  listening  to  the  religious  exhortation 
and  reasonings  of  Eliot,  took  that  apostle  by  the 
button,  and  said,  "  I  care  no  more  for  the  gospel  than 
you  do  for  that  button."  This  was  the  feeling  of 
a  large  number.  The  Narragansetts  went  so  far  as 
actually  to  prohibit  the  preaching  of  the  gospel 
within  their  borders. 

After  the  Indians  had  been  suitably  instructed, 
some  of  the  more  intelligent  and  energetic  of  them 
received  appointments  to  different  offices,  as  petty 
judges,  or  as  constables.  With  such  commissions 
they  were  highly  pleased,  and  sometimes  would  dis- 
charge their  official  duty  with  amusing  formality. 
The  following  warrant,  directed  to  an  Indian  con- 
stable, was  issued  by  one  of  these  native  magistrates. 
It  furnishes  an  example  of  sententious  brevity,  in 
wide  contrast  with  the  verbosity  of  more  civilized 
legal  formulas. :  — 

"  I,  Hihoudi,  you,  Peter  Waterman,  Jeremy  Wick- 


ALEXANDER    AND    PHILIP.  215 

et,  quick  you  take  him,  fast  you  hold  him,  straight 
you  bring  him  before  me.  Hihoudi." 

After  the  death  of  Massasoit,  his  son,  Alexander, 
became  his  successor.  His  career,  however,  was 
short.  The  English  were  informed  that  he  was 
plotting  their  destruction.  He  was,  therefore,  or- 
dered to  come  to  Plymouth  and  answer  this 
charge.  He  promised  to  comply,  but  did  not.  His 
refusal,  which  involved  a  violation  of  his  promise, 
strengthened  the  suspicions  against  him.  The  gov- 
ernor ordered  Major  Josiah  Winslow  to  take  a  com- 
pany of  armed  men,  and  bring  him  to  Plymouth. 
This  posse  set  out  and  fortunately  came  upon  Alex- 
ander, with  a  small  party  of  his  men,  when  they 
were  busily  engaged  in  eating.  They  were  in  a 
house,  or  tent,  and  their  guns  carelessly  left  on  the 
outside.  Winslow  first  secured  their  guns,  and  then,  in 
the  name  of  the  government  of  Plymouth,  ordered  the 
chief  to  accompany  him  to  the  colony.  He  consented 
and  went,  but  was  soon  after  taken  sick,  and  died. 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  Philip,  as  grand 
sachem  of  the  Pokanoket,  or  Wampanoag  Indians. 
His  residence  was  at  Mount  Hope,  which  is  supposed 
to  be  a  corruption  of  Montaup.  He,  and  also  his 
brother  before  him,  renewed  the  alliance  of  friend- 
ship with  the  English,  which  their  father  had  origi- 
nally made.  It  is  related  of  him,  that  in  1665  he 
went  to  Nantucket  with  his  braves,  for  the  purpose 


216  INDIAN    LAW. 

of  killing  an  Indian  who  had  spoken  contemptuously 
of  Massasoit,  his  father,  as  it  was  a  law  among 
them  that  whoever  reviled  the  dead  should  suffer 
death.  The  offender  was  one  John  Gibbs,  a  "  praying 
Indian  "  and  Christian  preacher,  whose  church  num- 
bered about  thirty  members.  Gibbs,  being  informed 
by  a  friend  of  Philip's  design,  fled.  Philip  caught 
a  sight  of  the  fugitive,  and  followed  him  through  the 
town,  from  house  to  house,  until  Gibbs  leaped  a  high 
bank,  eluded  his  sight,  and  made  his  escape.  When 
the  English  in  the  place  were  informed  of  the  facts, 
they  sought  an  interview  with  the  offended  chief. 
They  were  anxious  to  save  the  life  of  the  offender. 
As,  however,  the  offence  was  regarded  as  •  a  grave 
affair  by  the  Indians,  Philip  refused  to  return  until 
the  English  agreed  to  ransom  the  criminal  for 
nineteen  shillings,  that  being  all  the  money  there  was 
on  the  island.  He  then  returned  home  satisfied. 

Philip  frequently  visited  Plymouth.  He  became 
well  acquainted  with  the  inhabitants,  traded  with 
them,  and  exchanged  hospitalities.  Yet  it  is  sup- 
posed that  all  this  time  the  insult  which  had  been 
offered  to  his  brother  Alexander  was  rankling  in  his 
heart,  and  calling  for  revenge. 

In  addition  to  the  supposed  injury  done  to  Alex- 
ander, as  Philip  was  in  general  alliance  with  the 
Narragansetts,  he  must  have  sympathized  with  them 
in  the  aggressions  which  were,  from  time  to  time, 


PHILIP    BECOMES    QUARRELSOME.  217 

made  upon  them  by  the  English.  Between  them 
and  the  colonists  difficulties  had  repeatedly  occurred. 
To  Philip,  it  appeared  that,  in  these  difficulties,  his 
Indian  friends  were  wronged.  He  espoused  their 
side,  and  no  doubt  labored  to  deepen  their  sense  of 
injury  from  the  whites.  As  at  that  time  there  seems 
to  have  been,  among  the  Narragansetts,  no  chief  who 
had  supreme  command  over  the  whole  tribe,  although 
there  were  several  sachems  who  had  their  respective 
followers,  they  were  the  more  willing  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  prowess  and  skill  of  Philip,  to  manage 
for  them  their  cause.  These  two  things  —  the  treat- 
ment of  Alexander  and  of  the  Narragansetts  by  the 
English  —  are  believed  to  have  been  the  original  causes 
of  Philip's  bloody  war. 

In  1671,  he  began  to  manifest  a  quarrelsome  dis- 
position. He  complained  of  English  encroachments. 
His  followers  frequently  met  together,  repaired  their 
muskets,  sharpened  their  tomahawks,  and  used  irri- 
tating language  to  the  English. 

A  message  was  sent  to  Philip  to  come  to  Plym- 
outh and  explain  his  conduct.  To  this  command  he 
paid  no  attention.  He  afterwards  reciprocated  this 
courtesy,  and  invited  the  governor  of  Plymouth  to 
hold  a  conference  with  liim.  In  his  reply  the  gov- 
ernor assured  him  of  his  willingness  to  hold  a  confer- 
ence, but  expected  that  Philip  would  come  to  him 
at  Taunton,  where  he  then  was.  The  chief  refused. 
19 


I 

218  PHILIP    MEETS    THE    GOVERNOR. 

After  considerable  negotiation  through  the  medium 
of  messengers,  one  of  whom  was  Roger  Williams, 
Philip  agreed  to  meet  him  at  the  place  designated. 
The  conditions  on  which  the  chief  consented  to  come 
to  Taunton  were,  that  his  men  should  accompany 
him,  and  that  the  conference  should  take  place  in 
the  meeting-house  ;  the  two  parties  to  occupy  the 
opposite  sides  of  the  house.  Here  they  accordingly 
met.  Such  a  congregation,  and  for  such  a  purpose, 
had  never  assembled  there  before.  On  one  side  of 
the  church  were  arrayed  the  Puritans,  with  their 
round  heads,  occasioned  by  the  close  cutting  of  their 
hair,  their  "  formal  garb,"  and  their  stern,  serious 
features ;  on  the  other  side  were  the  Indians,  with 
their  long  dark  hair  streaming  over  their  shoulders 
or  down  their  backs,  arrayed  in  skins,  blankets,  and 
calicoes,  and  decorated  in  taudry  style,  with  beads, 
wampum,  feathers,  and  various  gay  colors.  It  was 
a  scene  of  singular  appearance.  If  the  agreement 
then  formed  had  been  faithfully  fulfilled,  it  would 
have  been  a  conference  of  great  importance,  and 
would  have  prevented  the  shedding  of  much  blood. 

Philip  denied  the  charges  which  were  brought  against 
him,  and  said  that  his  warlike  preparations  were  in- 
tended for  an  attack  upon  the  Narragansetts.  But  when 
it  was  shown  that  he  was  on  more  friendly  rela- 
tions with  the  Narragansetts  than  usual,  and  that  he 
had  arranged  plans  of  attack  upon  Seekonk,  Taun- 


PHILIP'S  CONFESSION.  219 

Ion,  and  some  other  towns,  he  saw  that  his  conspiracy 
was  discovered,  and  that  there  was  no  way  of  dis- 
proving it.  Up  to  this  time  he  had  managed  every 
tiling  with  so  much  secrecy,  that  he  had  not  the  least 
suspicion  that  his  plot  was  detected.  He  was  there- 
fore confounded  when  the  English  brought  forward 
their  evidence  against  him.  Knowing  that  it  would 
be  just  for  them  to  punish  him  for  his  treachery,  and 
fearing,  perhaps,  that  they  might  execute  summary 
vengeance  upon  him,  he  willingly  consented  to  sign 
a  document,  containing  a  confession  of  his  guilt,  a 
renewal  of  his  allegiance  to  the  English,  and  a  readi- 
ness to  deliver  up  all  his  English  weapons  into  their 
hands,  to  be  kept  as  long  as  they  should  think  it 
necessary.  When  the  Indians  understood  the  terms 
of  his  submission,  one  of  his  sachems  was  so  indig- 
nant at  his  cowardice,  that  he  angrily  threw  his 
weapons  on  the  ground,  abandoned  his  cause  forever, 
and  immediately  identified  himself  with  the  Puritans, 
to  whom  he  continued  a  faithful  adherent  during  the 
whole  of  this  sanguinary  war. 

After  the  negotiations  were  over,  and  the  parties 
had  separated,  Philip  failed  to  comply  with  the 
terms  imposed  upon  him.  He  sent  in  no  weapons. 
The  truth  is,  he  had  no  intention  to.  He  signed  that 
submission  only  to  save  his  life.  Once  free  from  the 
English,  he  thought  of  his  promise  no  more.  Chiefs 
and  braves  of  other  tribes  now  united  with  him.  His 


ANOTHER     TREATY. 

conduct  continuing  suspicious,  the  colony  of  Plym- 
outh summoned  him  again  to  appear  there.  They 
also  sent  word  to  the  colony  of  Massachusetts  of  what 
they  had  done,  and  stated  that  if  Philip  did  not  ap- 
pear, and  the  government  of  Massachusetts  did  not 
satisfactorily  account  for  his  refusal,  force  would  be 
used  to  compel  his  attendance  ;  and,  as  it  was  com- 
mon cause,  Massachusetts  ought  to  unite  with  them  ; 
but  if  they  refused,  then  Plymouth  would  enter  upon 
the  contest  alone.  The  same  day  on  which  that 
letter  reached  Boston,  Philip  himself  arrived  there. 
He  succeeded  in  convincing  the  government  there 
that  he  cherished  no  unfriendly  designs  against 
Plymouth.  They  proposed  to  Plymouth  that  the 
difficulties  should  be  referred  for  adjustment  to  com- 
missioners, to  be  appointed  by  the  governments  of 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  After  some  hesita- 
tion, this  plan  was  acceded  to,  and  the  commissioners 
appeared  at  Plymouth,  where  Philip  also  presented 
himself.  The  result  of  this  conference  was  another 
treaty,  in  which  Philip  promised  to  pay  the  govern- 
ment of  Plymouth  one  hundred  pounds  of  such  things 
as  he  had  ;  to  refer  all  differences  between  his  people 
and  the  English  to  the  Plymouth  government,  and 
not  to  engage  in  any  war  without  their  approbation. 
After  this,  no  collision  occurred  between  the  two 
parties  for  three  years.  Yet  Philip  was  not  subdued, 
neither  did  he  relinquish  his  murderous  designs 


PHILIP'S  SECRET   OPERATIONS.  221 

against  the  English.  During  these  three  years  of 
apparent  friendliness,  he  was  engaged  in  bringing 
about  a  confederacy  of  all  the  Indian  tribes  in  New 
England,  for  the  purpose  of  an  entire  extermination 
of  the  English  colonies.  To  accomplish  this,  he  had 
to  perform  the  difficult  task  of  terminating  quarrels 
of  long  standing  between  different  tribes  ;  of  allay- 
ing the  enmity  between  different  chiefs ;  of  answering 
objections,  removing  difficulties,  and  effecting  a  har- 
monious union  between  elements  of  the  most  discord- 
ant nature.  Yet  all  this  he  had  the  consummate 
address  successfully  to  accomplish.  During  all  this 
period,  while  the  train  was  being  prepared  for  a  ter- 
rific explosion,  the  English  were  kept  in  profound 
ignorance.  Philip  was  strengthening  his  forces, 
multiplying  his  alliances,  and  extending  his  plan  of 
operations,  whilst  those  who.  were  to  be  his  victims 
were  lulled  into  a  sense  of  perfect  security  by  his 
peaceful  appearance  and  his  false  professions  of 
friendship.  Had  his  treachery  been  kept  concealed 
until  the  time  appointed  for  the  attack  upon  the  col- 
onies, which  was  the  spring  of  1676,  we  know  not 
how  thji  entire  overthrow  of  the  English  plantations 
could.have  been  prevented.  But  this  was  not  to  be. 
The  vine  which  had  been  brought  out  of  Egypt,  and 
transplanted  into  this  distant  soil,  was  under  the  pro- 
tection of  an  omniscient  and  all-powerftil  Friend  :  no 
evils  plotted  against  it  were  unknown  to  him  —  no 
19* 


222  SECRETARY    SASSAMON. 

power  opposed  to  it  which  he  could  not  defeat. 
Though  now,  the  boar  out  of  the  wood  and  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  field  were  intent  upon  devouring  it,  yet 
his  hand  held  them  in  check  as  with  bit  and  bridle, 
and  his  providence  led  to  a  discovery  of  the  dangers 
which  encompassed  it. 

Among  the  confidential  Indians  of  Philip  was  one 
John  Sassamon,  whom  he  employed  as  his  secretary. 
By  gome  offence,  this  individual  aroused  the  anger 
of  Philip.  He  had  previously  been  under  the  in- 
struction of  Eliot,  and  was  professedly  converted  to 
the  Christian  faith.  But  after  residing  a  while  with 
Philip,  he  abandoned  his  profession.  Having  of- 
fended his  chief,  and  fearing  his  anger,  he  fled  to  his 
old  friend,  Eliot.  The  venerable  missionary  received 
him  with  his  accustomed  kindness,  and  entered  into 
conversation  with  him  respecting  his  religious  state. 
His  pious  heart  earnestly  longed  to  see  the  apostate 
take  his  old  place,  and  manifest  his  former  religious 
interest  among  the  "  praying  Indians."  His  faithful 
and  affectionate  labors  for  the  restoration  of  the 
prodigal  were  crowned  with  success.  "  After  many 
professions  of  repentance,  he  was  again  baptized  and 
received  into  full  communion." 

It  was  so  ordered  by  a  wise  Providence,  that  the 
Indian  who  was,  in  this  manner,  obliged  to  flee  from 
home,  was  acquainted  with  both  the  designs  and  the 
plans  of  Philip.  Being  now  fully  devoted  to  the  in- 


FEARFUL    DISCLOSURE. 


223 


terests  of  the  English,  Sassamon,  in  a  secret  manner, 
made  known  to  the  governor  of  Plymouth  Philip's 
treachery,  at  the  same  time  informing  him,  that  if 
Philip  should  ever  learn  that  he  had  betrayed  him,  it 
would  cost  him  his  life.  After  the  reception  of  this 
fearful  intelligence,  Philip  and  some  of  his  tribe  were 
examined ;  but  as  they  made  no  confessions,  and  as 
no  positive  evidence  was  brought  against  them,  they 
were  discharged,  —  not,  however,  without  having  the 
suspicions  against  them  greatly  strengthened.  It  was 
not  long  before  poor  Sassamon  mysteriously  disap- 
peared —  in  what  manner  will  be  related  in  the  next 
chapter. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

"  His  savage  hordes  the  murderous  Philip  leads, 
Files  through  the  woods,  and  treads  the  tangled  weeds  ; 
Shuns  open  combat,  teaches  where  to  run, 
Skulk,  couch  the  ambush,  aim  the  hunters'  gun, 
Whirl  the  sly  tomahawk,  the  war-whoop  sing, 
Divide  the  spoils,  and  pack  the  scalps  they  bring."  —  BARLOW. 

Harvard  College.  —  Indian  Students.  —  Sassamon. —  Search  for 
him.  —  His  Body  found.  —  Murderers  arrested  and  executed.  — 
Philip  enraged.  —  Preparations  Tor  Conflict.  —  Bold  Language.  — 
Opinion  respecting  the  first  Fire.  —  Indians  pant  for  Plunder. — 
The  War  begun.  —  English  killed  on  Fast  Day. — Excitement 
in  the  Colonies. — Enlisting  Recruits  in  Boston.  —  Bridgewater 
Horsemen.  —  People  driven  from  their  burning  Houses.  —  The 
English  surprised  and  slain.  —  Affecting  Scene.  —  Philip  pur- 
sued.—  Found  at  Dinner.  —  Escapes.  —  Mutilated  Englishmen. 
—  Fuller's  narrow  Escape.  —  Church's  brave  Adventure.  — 
Golding's  timely  Arrival.  —  Marvellous  Preservation.  —  Church's 
Visit  to  the  Spring  amidst  a  Shower  of  Balls. 

PREVIOUS  to  the  events  contained  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, Harvard  College  had  been  founded,  conse- 
crated to  Christ  and  his  church.  Efforts  were  early 
made  to  induce  some  of  the  Indian  youth  to  prepare 
to  enter.  These  efforts  were  not  favored  with  much 
success.  The  restraints  of  a  student's  life  were  not 
at  all  in  harmony  with  the  freedom  of  their  early 
habits.  They  greatly  preferred  to  be  rambling  the 
fields  and  woods,  with  their  bow  and  arrows,  for 
game,  or  paddling  their  light  bark  canoes  over  the 
water  for  fish,  or  spending  their  time  in  idle  talk,  or 


SASSAMON    MISSING.  225 

useless  sports,  to  the  stillness,  confinement,  and  mo- 
notony of  intellectual  pursuits.  Yet,  now  and  then 
one  could  be  induced  to  enter  ;  among  these  was 
Sassamon.  He  received  a  tolerable  education,  was 
well  acquainted  with  the  English  language,  and  had 
been  employed  as  a  preacher  among  the  Indians,  and 
as  a  teacher  of  their  youth.  Soon  after  the  disclo- 
sures which  Sassamon  made  to  the  governor  of  Plym- 
outh, he  was  missing !  When  he  left,  or  where  he 
had  gone,  no  one  knew.  Fears  were  entertained 
for  his  safety.  It  was  suspected  that  he  had  been 
murdered.  His  friends  commenced  a  thorough 
search  for  him.  Every  cave,  brook,  woods,  or  dark 
corner,  where  they  imagined  it  was  possible  for  him 
to  be  concealed,  was  closely  examined.  It  was  not 
long  before  they  got  upon  his  track.  A  hat  and 
gun,  which  were  recognized  as  his,  were  found  upon 
a  frozen  pond  in  Middleborough.  This  led  to  a 
close  examination  of  the  pond  itself.  Under  the  ice 
was  discovered  the  body  of%  man.  Being  drawn 
ashore,  it  was  found  to  be  Sassamon  himself.  It 
was  evident,  from  bruises  upon  him,  that  he  had  not 
died  by  simply  falling  through  the  ice.  Cotton 
Mather  states  that  the  neck  was  broken.  Still,  he 
was  buried  by  liis  friends.  But  when  the  appear- 
ance of  the  body  was  made  known  to  the  governor 
of  Plymouth,  he,  recollecting  the  fears  which  Sassa- 
mon had  expressed  respecting  himself,  gave  orders 


226  HIS    BODY    FOUND. 

to  have  his  body  exhumed  and  examined.  It  was 
done  ;  and  bruises  enough  were  found  upon  him  to 
have  caused  death  without  drowning.  An  Indian 
now  acknowledged  that  he  saw  him  murdered,  but 
had  not  made  the  disclosure,  for  fear  he  should  lose 
his  own  life.  The  accused  persons  were  appre- 
hended, removed  to  Plymouth,  and  tried.  The  jury 
consisted  of  twelve  Englishmen,  and  four  grave, 
impartial,  judicious  Indians.  The  criminals,  being 
three  in  number,  were  all  convicted,  and  paid  the 
penalty  of  death.  Dr.  I.  Mather  says,  that  "  when 
Tobias,  one  of  the  culprits,  came  near  the  body,  it 
fell  a  bleeding  on  fresh,  as  it  had  been  newly  slain  ; 
albeit  it  was  buried  a  considerable  time  before  that." 
A  notion,  which  we  cannot  help  characterizing  as 
superstitious,  prevailed  at  that  time,  that  when  a 
murderer  touched  or  approached  a  body  which  he 
had  slain,  the  wounds  would  send  forth  fresh  blood. 
Whether  this  phenomenon,  stated  by  Mather,  had 
any  effect  with  the  $iry,  we  know  not.  At  the 
present  day,  it  would  be  discarded.  One  of  the 
criminals  confessed  the  murder ;  the  others,  to  the 
last,  denied  all  participation  and  all  knowledge  of  it. 
Philip  was  greatly  enraged  at  the  execution,  and 
longed  for  the  hour  of  revenge.  He  had  succeeded 
in  forming  an  alliance  with  a  number  of  tribes,  the 
young  men  of  which  were  anxious  for  plunder, 
scalps,  and  war.  Whilst  both  parties  were  pre- 


HIS    MURDERERS    PUNISHED.  227 

paring  for  the  approaching  bloody  conflict,  the 
governor  of  Massachusetts  sent  a  messenger  to 
Philip,  to  ask  his  reasons  for  wishing  to  make  war 
with  the  English,  and  also  to  invite  him  to  enter 
into  a  new  treaty.  The  bold  chieftain  of  the  forests 
sent  back  by  the  messenger  this  independent  reply  : 
"  Your  governor  is  but  a  subject  of  King  Charles  of 
England.  I  shall  not  treat  with  a  subject.  I  shall 
treat  of  peace  only  with  the  king,  my  brother. 
When  he  comes,  I  am  ready."  Professing  to  be  a 
king,  he  would  negotiate  only  with  a  king. 

As  Philip's  designs  had  been  disclosed  to  the 
English,  he  was  unable  to  consummate  all  the 
arrangements  which  he  had  contemplated  prior  to 
the  open  development  of  his  plans.  It  was  his 
intention  that  the  first  intelligence  of  his  murderous 
object  should  have  reached  the  English  through  the 
sharp  crack  of  his  musket,  and  the  red  glare  of 
their  burning  dwellings.  As  it  was,  he  was  obliged 
to  commence  the  war  prematurely,  and  under  great 
disadvantages.  A  notion  prevailed  among  the  In- 
dians, that  the  party  who  should  begin  hostilities  by 
firing  the  first  gun  would  be  defeated.  It  was  their 
policy,  therefore,  to  insult  and  irritate  the  English, 
so  that  they  might  give  the  first  fire.  Philip  had 
gathered  such  large  numbers  of  Indians  of  different 
tribes  around  him,  who  were  panting  for  scalps  and 
plunder,  and  who  were  nourishing  their  warlike 


228  THE    FIRST    GUN. 

aspirations  by  the  recital  of  the  deeds  of  blood  of 
their  fathers,  that  it  was  difficult  to  prevent  them 
from  rushing  upon  the  Puritans,  and  murdering 
them  whenever  they  had  opportunity.  He  finally 
consented  that  they  might  kill  the  cattle  of  the 
English,  and  rob  them  of  their  property.  After 
receiving  this  permission,  they  prowled  around  the 
people  of  Swansey,  killed  their  cattle,  plundered 
their  houses,  and  menaced  them  with  insulting  lan- 
guage. An  Englishman  was  so  indignant  at  their 
conduct,  that,  under  the  impulse  of  his  excited  feel- 
ings, he  seized  his  musket,  fired,  and  wounded  an 
Indian.  This  was  just  what  the  savages  wanted  — 
what  they  had  been  endeavoring  to  provoke.  The 
foreigners  had  fired  the  first  gun :  they  were  the 
party  to  be  defeated.  The  report  of  that  musket 
was  the  signal  for  attack,  whenever  and  wherever 
the  English  could  be  found.  It  was  upon  a  day  of 
"  public  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer  "  that  this 
dreadful  tragedy  began, 

The  echo  of  this  "  first  gun  "  had  scarcely  died 
away,  before  the  Indians  had  prepared  themselves  to 
give  the  Puritans,  on  their  return  from  meeting,  a 
warm  reception.  When  they  made  their  appear- 
ance, and  came  within  reach  of  the  guns,  the  sav- 
ages fired  upon  them,  killing  one  and  wounding 
two !  Two  others,  who  were  going  after  a  physi- 
cian, were  also  met  and  slain.  In  another  part  of 


GREAT    EXCITEMENT. 

the  town  six  more  were  overtaken,  and  fell  a  sac- 
rifice to  the  vengeance  of  the  Indians  the  same  day. 
This  little,  isolated  band  of  settlers  were  filled  with 
consternation.  They  were  separated  so  far  from 
Plymouth  and  Boston,  that  if  the  Indians  were  to 
come  down  upon  them  in  overwhelming  numbers, 
they  could  exterminate  the  whole  before  help  could 
possibly  arrive.  They  immediately,  however,  sent 
off  couriers  to  the  parent  settlements.  These  mes- 
sengers, filled  with  anxiety  and  sorrow,  hastened  on 
with  as  much  rapidity  as  was  consistent  with  vigi 
lance  and  safety.  When  they  arrived  and  commu- 
nicated the  sad  intelligence,  it  produced  great  com- 
motion. It  was  understood  to  be  the  breaking  out 
of  a  bloody  Indian  war.  The  drums  beat ;  recruits 
were  ordered  ;  and  at  Boston,  in  the  space  of  three 
hours,  one  hundred  and  ten  men  enlisted,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Samuel  Mosely.  There  were 
also  about  a  dozen  privateers  who  accompanied 
them,  taking  with  them  several  dogs.  These  dogs 
proved  of  considerable  service  in  discovering  the 
lading-places  of  the  Indians.  One  of  them  assisted 
in  supplying  the  party  with  meat,  by  going  out  for 
several  days  in  succession,  and  bringing  in  from  six 
to  ten  pigs  belonging  to  Philip's  herds. 

At    Plymouth,    the    governor    gave    orders    that 
twenty  horsemen,  well  armed,  should  be  raised  in 
Bridgewater,  and  proceed  at  once  to  Swansey.     It 
20 


230  AN    INDIAN    SURPRISE. 

was  done.  On  their  way  to  the  scene  of  action, 
they  met  the  terrified  people  who  had  been  driven 
from  their  burning  houses,  and  were  fleeing  in  dis- 
may, "  wringing  their  hands,  and  bewailing  their 
losses." 

Before  the  help  arrived,  the  inhabitants  of  Swan- 
sey  and  Rehoboth  had  collected  together  in  three 
houses,  taking  with  them  such  provision  as  they 
were  able  to  collect  in  haste.  Here  were  gathered 
men,  women,  and  children.  The  husbands,  fathers, 
and  friends  of  some  of  them  had  been  slain.  They 
were  in  deep  distress,  and  trembling  with  apprehen- 
sion lest  greater  calamities  would  befall  them.  They 
were  not  mistaken.  A  company  of  the  men  left 
the  little  garrison,  and,  taking  with  them  some  carts, 
went  to  a  house  which  had  been  deserted,  in  order 
to  get  a  quantity  of  corn,  which  had  there  been  left. 
They  were  met  by  a  friend,  who  advised  them  to 
return,  as  the  Indians  were  on  the  alert,  and  would 
probably  attack  them.  Paying  no  attention  to  this 
judicious  advice,  they  pressed  on,  were  surprised  by 
a  band  of  natives,  fired  upon,  and  six  were  either 
killed  on  the  spot,  or  mortally  wounded !  The 
report  of  the  guns  was  heard  at  the  garrison.  It 
came  like  the  knell  of  death.  They  feared  that 
some  were  killed  ;  but  who,  they  were  yet  to  learn. 
The  soldiers  immediately  hastened  to  the  spot ;  but 
when  they  arrived,  the  Indians  had  scattered  and 


PHILIP    PURSUED.  231 

disappeared  like  the  smoke  of  their  muskets.  When 
the  soldiers  returned,  bringing  the  wounded  and  the 
dead  with  them,  and  wives,  children,  and  friends 
gathered  in  agony  around  the  bleeding  or  lifeless 
bodies  of  those  whom  they  loved,  it  added  greatly  to 
the  horrors  of  their  condition.  They  remained  there 
until  reinforcements  arrived,  when  they  were  safely 
conducted  to  Rhode  Island. 

Soldiers  were  now  sent  off  in  pursuit  of  Philip, 
as  he  was  the  evil  genius  of  the  war.  They  came 
upon  him  so  suddenly  as  to  find  him  at  his  dinner. 
Without  stopping  to  apologize,  he  arose  and  fled. 
The  soldiers  pursued  him  with  such  vigor,  that 
he  lost  his  cap,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  one  of 
the  pursuers.  In  this  hot  and  rapid  chase,  fifteen  or 
more  of  his  adherents  were  shot.  When  the  pur- 
suers returned,  they  took  all  his  cattle,  swine  and 
corn,  and  disposed  of  them  at  their  pleasure.  Their 
joy,  however,  over  the  recent  success  was  checked, 
when  they  discovered  the  heads  of  eight  English- 
men, who  had  been  slain,  fixed  upon  poles.  They 
removed  them,  and  gave  them  an  interment.  In 
some  instances,  other  parts  of  the  mutilated  bodies 
were  also  found.  They  now  explored  the  country 
around  Philip's  residence.  They  found  the  houses 
of  the  English  burnt,  their  property  plundered,  and 
their  blood  shed,  where  any  of  them  had,  unfortu- 
nately, been  found  by  the  savages.  When  they 


232  FULLER    ATTACKED. 

came  upon  any  Indians,  a  skirmish  ensued,  and 
the  savages  were  repulsed.  After  a  thorough  ex- 
ploration of  the  woods  and  swamps  around  Mount 
Hope,  they  were  satisfied  that  Philip  had  fled.  Be- 
lieving they  should  find  him  at  Pocasset,  they 
went  thither.  There  a  party  of  the  English,  under 
Captain  Fuller,  were  attacked  by  a  much  larger 
company  of  the  enemy.  The  English  retreated 
hastily  to  the  sea-shore,  took  possession  of  a  house 
near  the  water,  from  which  they  successfully  em- 
barked in  a  sloop,  and  escaped  to  Rhode  Island. 
Captain  Church,  who  had  accompanied  them,  passed 
down  into  a  point  of  land,  at  the  south  of  Tiverton, 
where  he  came  upon  a  body  of  several  hundred 
savages,  who  attacked  him  with  great  fury.  The 
desire  of  the  Indians  was  to  surround  them,  when, 
in  all  probability,  they  would  have  cut  them  entirely 
off.  As  soon  as  Church  discovered  their  design,  he 
gave  orders  to  retreat  to  the  shore.  This  movement 
finally  resulted  in  the  deliverance  of  his  little  gallant 
band,  who  numbered  less  than  twenty.  With  the 
water  before  them,  and  hundreds  of  their  enraged 
enemies  in  pursuit,  it  appeared  as  if  nothing  remained 
for  them  but  to  part  with  their  lives  as  dearly  as  pos- 
sible. The  Indians  had  taken  shelter  behind  every 
tree,  bush,  fence,  or  rock,  from  which  they  poured 
their  fire  into  the  English.  Church,  being  a  man  of 
great  courage,  was  successful  in  imparting  something 


CHURCH'S  ADVENTURE.  233 

of  the  same  spirit  to  his  disheartened  men.  They 
got  behind  piles  of  stones,  and  experienced  many 
narrow  escapes.  Orders  had  been  given  for  boats 
to  attend  them  ;  but  they  run  aground,  and  so  could 
not  extend  any  relief.  Finally  one  got  afloat,  and 
approached  towards  them.  As  they  saw  it  advancing, 
their  hopes  of  deliverance  revived.  The  Indians 
saw  it  also,  and  by  firing  at  it,  kept  it  at  such  a  dis- 
tance as  to  be  of  no  service.  Church  gave  them 
orders  to  get  out  of  the  reach  of  the  muskets,  and 
then,  send  their  canoe  to  take  them  on  board.  But 
the  men  being  fearful  to  do  even  this,  Church,  under 
apparently  feelings  of  great  irritation,  ordered  them 
off,  or  he  would  fire  upon  them.  They  obeyed,  and 
left  the  English  in  greater  peril  than  before.  After 
the  boat  left,  the  Indians  were  encouraged,  and 
poured  in  their  balls  "  thicker  and  faster  than  before." 
The  sun  was  now  nearly  set,  the  gloom  of  evening 
was  arriving,  the  ammunition  of  the  English  was 
nearly  gone,  the  men  exhausted  with  hunger,  excite- 
ment, and  fighting,  whilst  the  Indians  had  succeeded 
in  getting  possession  of  a  stone  house,  in  which  they 
were  sheltered.  Down  to  the  present  time  not  one 
of  the  English  had  been  shot.  Just  before  dark  a 
sloop  made  her  appearance.  Church  told  the  men 
to  hold  on,  for  relief  was  at  hand.  He  informed 
them  that  the  captain  of  the  sloop  was  named  Gold- 
ing,  "  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  man  for  business." 
20  * 


234  BRAVERY    OF    CHURCH. 

He  was  right.  When  Golding  arrived,  he  at  once 
sent  his  canoe  ashore ;  but  it  proved  to  be  such  a 
diminutive  affair  that  only  two  could  embark  in  it. 
As,  however,  there  were  no  other  means  of  escape, 
the  retreat  was  made  in  this.  As  the  English  passed 
to  and  fro,  between  the  sloop  and  the  shore,  the  In- 
dians kept  up  their  fire  upon  them.  After  Church 
had  seen  all  the  others  on  board,  he  embarked  him- 
self. The  balls  whistled  around  him ;  one  grazed 
his  head ;  two  others  entered  the  canoe,  and  another 
was  buried  in  a  stake,  which  was  just  "  in  front  of 
the  middle  of  his  breast."  The  battle  had  continued 
six  hours,  during  which  a  number  of  the  Indians 
were  killed ;  but,  as  a  kind  Providence  would  have  it, 
the  English  were  marvellously  preserved.  So  effect- 
ually had  the  enemy  fired  upon  the  sloop,  that  her 
sails,  colors,  and  stern  were  full  of  holes. 

Church  was  a  brave  man,  and  exhibited  on  that 
day  feats  of  noble  daring.  During  the  fight,  being 
extremely  thirsty,  he  left  his  shelter,  and  went  fear- 
lessly to  a  spring  and  drank ;  as  he  returned,  he  left 
his  hat  and  cutlass  behind  him.  Towards  the  even- 
ing, when  the  retreat  was  made,  he  remembered 
these  forgotten  articles,  and  being  unwilling  that  the 
savages  should  get  them,  and  glory  over  them  as 
trophies,  he  went  out  again,  with  his  musket  pre- 
sented, to  obtain  them.  When  the  Indians  saw  it, 
they  let  fly  a  volley  of  balls  upon  him ;  but  he  pressed 


CHURCH     ESCAPES. 

on,  secured  the  desired  articles,  returned  and  took 
his  seat  in  the  canoe,  without  receiving  a  single 
wound. 

After    these   adventures,    the    companies    under 
Church  and  Fuller  were  again  united. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

"  Cold  with  the  beast  he  slew,  he  sleeps  •, 
O'er  him  no  filial  spirit  weeps. 
E'en  that  he  lived  is  for  his  conqueror's  tongue  ; 
By  foes  alone  his  death-song  must  be  sung  ; 
No  chronicles  but  theirs  shall  tell 

His  mournful  doom  to  future  times  ; 
May  these  upon  his  virtues  dwell, 

And  in  his  fate  forget  his  crimes."  —  SFRACUE. 

Philip  retreats  to  a  Swamp.  —  An  Ambush.  —  Wigwams  found.  — 
Philip  escapes  by  Water.  —  His  Route  discovered.  —  Ministers 
fight.  —  Philip  overtaken. —  A  Battle  ensues. — The  War  be- 
comes general.  —  Its  Consequences.  —  Disgraceful  Conduct  to- 
wards the  Dartmouth  Indians. —  Sold  into  Slavery.—  Its  Influence 
on  other  Tribes.  —  Philip's  Ravages  in  Plymouth.  —  Retreats 
to  a  Swamp. — The  Swamp  surrounded.  —  Philip  shot. —  The 
Enemy  routed.  —  The  Gun  preserved. —  Philip  beheaded  and 
quartered.  —  His  Head  and  Hand  preserved.  —  Bitter  Spirit  of 
the  English.  — His  Head  exposed  many  Years. 

AFTER  the  engagements  which  were  mentioned  in 
the  last  chapter,  the  courage  of  the  English  was  in- 
creased. They  desired  to  follow  after  Philip  until 
they  found  him.  Church  went  to  Narraganset,  ob- 
tained some  more  men,  returned  and  found  Philip, 
with  whom  he  had  an  encounter,  and  slew  fifteen  of 
his  men.  Philip  then  retreated  into  a  great  swamp, 
near  Taunton  River.  He  was  pursued  by  the  Eng- 
lish, who  penetrated  into  the  swamp,  where  they 
were  drawn  into  an  ambush.  The  wily  savages 


PHILIP    SURROUNDED.  237 

fired  upon  them  from  beliind  trees,  bushes,  and  other 
places  of  concealment ;  and  five,  some  accounts 
say  fifteen,  men  were  slain.  Near  the  edge  of  this 
swamp  a  hundred  wigwams  were  found,  made  of 
green  bark.  They  attempted  to  burn  them,  but 
could  not  succeed.  In  one  of  them  was  an  old 
Indian,  who  informed  them  that  Philip  was  con- 
cealed in  the  swamp.  This  intelligence  prompted 
them  to  greater  exertions.  But  as  night  was  ap- 
proaching, and  friend  could  not  be  told  from  foe, 
the  English  retreated,  taking  their  dead  and  wounded 
with  them.  As  it  was,  it  is  not  impossible  that  they 
mistook  friends  for  enemies,  and  thus  killed  some  of 
their  own  company.  Doctor  Mather  says,  "  It  is 
verily  feared  that  the  English  themselves  did  unhap- 
pily shoot  Englishmen  instead  of  Indians." 

The  forces  of  the  English  were  now  divided.  A 
portion  of  them  remained  to  watch  Philip  in  the 
swamp,  and  starve  him  into  submission.  They  in- 
vested the  swamp  thirteen  days,  during  which  time 
Philip  and  his  men  were  diligently  employed  in 
making  bark  canoes.  At  the  end  of  this  period,  he 
and  his  warriors  succeeded  in  making  their  escape 
by  water,  which  bounded  a  portion  of  the  great 
swamp.  In  effecting  this  flight,  they  probably  used 
the  canoes  which  they  had  made  during  their  impris- 
onment. Their  women  and  children  they  left  be- 
hind, as  they  knew  it  was  the  custom  of  the  English 


338  PHILIP    ESCAPES. 

to  treat  such  with  kindifess.  A  broken,  hilly  country 
affords  special  facilities  for  the  concealment  of  a  re- 
treating army.  By  following  the  course  of  the  val- 
leys, and  sending  their  scouts  cautiously  to  the  tops 
of  the  hills,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  the  safest 
route,  an  escape  may  readily  be  secured  without  de- 
tection. Philip,  however,  was  not  favored  with  such 
a  country.  The  land  through  which  he  and  his  fol- 
lowers were  obliged  to  pass,  after  crossing  Taunton 
River,  was  level.  It  afforded  no  means  of  conceal- 
ment, and,  consequently,  he  was  discovered.  As 
soon  as  his  course  was  known,  Rev.  Mr.  Newman, 
of  Rehoboth,  called  upon  his  fellow-townsmen  with 
earnestness  to  pursue  him.  He  set  the  example 
himself.  Taking  his  weapons  he  sallied  out,  and,  by 
means  of  spirited  addresses,  succeeded  in  diffusing 
something  of  his  own  courage  into  the  company 
which  followed.  It  was  not  unusual  in  those  times, 
when  the  English  were  liable  to  be  attacked  with 
suddenness,  and  with  overwhelming  numbers,  for  the 
ministers  of  the  Prince  of  peace  to  gird  on  the 
weapons  of  war,  and  go  out  to  protect  their  homes, 
their  wives,  and  their  children.  Mr.  Newman's  com- 
pany was  joined  by  a  party  of  fifty  Mohegan  Indians, 
who  had  offered  their  services  to  Massachusetts,  and 
were  placed  under  the  command  of  Captain  Hench- 
man. The  little  army  hastened  on  and  overtook 
Philip  about  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  first  of  August. 


ANOTHER    ENGAGEMENT.  239 

An  engagement  at  once  took  place.  The  balls  flew 
with  fatal  effect.  Philip  brought  some  of  his  bravest 
men  in  the  rear  so  as  to  be  nearest  their  pursuers, 
by  which  means  many  of  them  were  slain,  among 
whom  was  Sachem  Nimrod,  called  in  the  Indian 
tongue  Woonashum,  a  brave  warrior  and  sagacious 
counsellor.  For  some  cause  which  has  not  been  sat- 
isfactorily explained,  the  fight  suddenly  terminated, 
and  the  pursuit  was  stopped.  It  was  said,  at  the 
time,  that  some  of  the  Mohegans  found  a  quantity 
of  plunder,  and  whilst  they  stopped  to  load  them- 
selves with  it,  Philip  made  his  escape.  The  extreme 
heat  of  the  weather  has  been  assigned  as  another 
reason ;  neither  of  which  are  satisfactory.  Had 
Philip  at  that  time  been  closely  pursued,  the  war 
might  have  been  terminated  in  a  short  period,  and 
many  lives  saved.  The  Indians  were  now  every 
where  in  arms  against  the  English.  Men  left  their 
homes  in  the  morning  to  work  in  the  fields,  and 
never  returned  alive.  They  were  shot  down  by 
some  invisible  foe.  Women,  left  at  home,  were 
assaulted  by  bands  of  prowling  Indians,  and  after 
submitting  to  every  species  of  brutal  insult,  were 
butchered  in  cold  blood.  The  darkness  of  the 
night  would  be  suddenly  lighted  up  by  the  glare  of 
their  burning  barns.  If  the  owners  left  their  house 
to  extinguish  it  or  to  save  their  cattle,  they  would  be 
met  by  the  fatal  ball.  Not  satisfied  with  burning 


'240  DARTMOUTH    INDIANS. 

barns,  or  killing  cattle,  they  would  kindle  dwelling- 
houses,  and  then  shoot  the  inhabitants  as  they  at- 
tempted to  escape.  The  dwellings  of  the  English 
were  every  where  barricaded,  and  put  in  as  strong 
a  state  of  defence  as  possible.  Still  the  Indians 
were  greatly  successful.  Not  only  were  the  isolated 
houses  consumed,  and  the  families  slain,  but  town 
after  town  fell  before  them,  and  the  inhabitants 
slaughtered  without  mercy. 

As  the  seat  of  war  was  now  transferred  from  the 
limits  of  Plymouth  colony,  we  must  reserve  the 
further  accounts  of  it  until  we  take  up  the  histories 
of  the  colonies  into  which  it  was  removed. 

We  have  reserved  till  now  the  recital  of  an  act  of 
deception,  perfidy,  and  cruelty  on  the  part  of  the 
English,  which  has  justly  brought  upon  them  eternal 
disgrace.  Soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war, 
the  town  of  Dartmouth  was  destroyed,  and  many 
of  the  inhabitants  slain.  In  this  destruction  and 
slaughter,  the  Dartmouth  Indians  had  no  hand. 
When  the  Plymouth  forces  arrived  there,  they 
opened  negotiations  with  these  Indians.  By  the 
persuasions  and  promises  of  Ralph  Earl  and  Captain 
Eels,  they  yielded  themselves  prisoners  to  the  Eng- 
lish, and  were  taken  to  Plymouth.  The  question 
was  then  discussed,  What  shall  be  done  with  them  1 
It  was  proposed  to  sell  them  into  slavery  !  Against 
this,  Eels,  Church,  and  Earl  remonstrated  in  the 


SOLD    INTO    SLAVERY.  241 

strongest  manner,  and  dwelt  with  emphasis  on  the 
promises  they  had  made  the  Indians,  as  an  induce- 
ment to  submit.  Their  earnest  and  solemn  protests 
produced  no  effect.  The  government,  notwithstand- 
ing the  inhumanity  and  wickedness  of  the  act,  gave 
orders  for  the  whole  of  them  to  be  sold  into  slavery  ! 
In  compliance  with  the  order,  these  one  hundred 
and  sixty  Indians  were  conveyed  out  of  the  country. 
Church  was  so  indignant  at  such  perfidious  conduct, 
and  expressed  himself  with  such  warmth  and  bit- 
terness, that  the  government  never  forgave  him. 

The  influence  of  this  act  was,  as  it  ought  to  have 
been,  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  Puritans. 
Baylies  says  :  "  This  mean  and  treacherous  conduct 
alienated  all  the  Indians  who  were  doubting,  and 
even  those  who  were  strongly  disposed  to  join  the 
English." 

After  many  of  the  towns  in  the  other  colonies  had 
been  plundered  and  destroyed,  Philip  returned  to 
Plymouth,  and  continued  his  ravages  there.  Various 
settlements  in  the  colony  were  attacked,  burnt,  and 
the  inhabitants  slaughtered,  with  all  the  cruelties  of 
Indian  barbarity.  Finally,  Philip  retreated  to  a 
swamp.  This  was  so  completely  surrounded  by 
English  volunteers,  under  Church,  as  to  cut  off  all 
possibility  of  escape.  If  Philip  showed  himself  at 
the  edge,  he  was  immediately  driven  back  by  the 
muskets  of  the  English.  Captain  Church  ordered 
21 


•242  DEATH    OF    PHILIP. 

Golding  to  enter  the  swamp.  When  Philip  found 
himself  closely  pursued,  he  retreated  to  the  other 
side  of  the  swamp ;  there  he  was  met  by  Caleb 
Cook,  and  a  friendly  Indian,  named  Alderman. 
Cook  aimed  first  at  Philip,  but  his  gun  only 
snapped.  Alderman  then  levelled  his  piece,  which 
was  loaded  with  two  balls,  and  fired.  Philip  sprang 
from  the  ground,  and  fell  upon  his  face,  in  the  mud 
and  water,  dead.  One  of  the  balls  pierced  his 
heart ;  the  other  entered  his  lungs. 

The  successful  champion  immediately  informed 
Captain  Church  of  Philip's  death.  Church  ordered 
him  to  keep  it  secret  until  they  had  swept  the 
swamp  clear  of  the  enemy.  This  was  soon  done. 
The  little  English  band  were  then  assembled  to- 
gether at  the  place  where  the  enemy  had  spent  the 
night,  and  there  Church  communicated  the  welcome 
news  of  Philip's  death,  at  which  the  whole  company 
gave  three  loud,  hearty  cheers.  The  captain  or- 
dered the  body  of  the  slain  chief  to  be  produced  ; 
upon  which,  some  of  Church's  Indians  went  to  the 
place,  seized  Philip  by  the  legs,  and  drew  him 
"  through  the  mud  into  the  upland ;  and  a  doleful, 
great,  naked,  dirty  beast  he  looked  like." 

Thus  died  Ring  Philip,  one  of  the  sons  and  suc- 
cessors of  the  great  Massasoit,  and  the  most  dan- 
gerous enemy  with  which  the  New  England  colonists 
were  obliged  to  contend. 


PHILIP'S  HAND.  243 

/ 

His  body,  in  accordance  with  the  barbarous  cus- 
tom of  the  times,  was  beheaded,  quartered,  and 
exposed  as  a  warning  to  others.  A  day  of  thanks- 
giving for  this  signal  victory  was  appointed  at  Plym- 
outh, and  on  that  day  the  head  of  Philip  was  taken 
there,  accompanied  with  demonstrations  of  triumph 
and  great  joy.  It  was  elevated  in  a  conspicuous 
place,  and  remained  publicly  exposed  above  twenty 
years. 

After  the  death  of  Philip,  Cook  persuaded  Alder- 
man to  exchange  guns,  so  that  he  might  have  some 
memento  of  this  great  exploit.  This  gun  was  pre- 
served in  the  family  until  the  present  century.  The 
lock  was  then  removed  from  it,  and  given  to  the 
late  Isaac  Lothrop,  Esq.,  of  Plymouth.  The  stock 
and  barrel  of  the  gun  are  said  to  be  still  in  the  pos- 
session of  Cook's  descendants.  There  is  a  gun  lock 
in  the  library  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Soci- 
ety, which  is  said  to  be  the  same  which  belonged  to 
the  gun  when  it  sent  the  fatal  ball  into  Philip's  heart. 
Alderman,  being  desirous  of  preserving  some  trophy 
of  his  victory  for  himself,  cut  off  one  of  Philip's 
hands,  which  was  greatly  scarred  by  the  bursting  of 
a  pistol,  preserved  it  in  rum,  and  afterwards  exhib- 
ited it  to  the  people  throughout  the  country,  for 
which  he  received  a  small  gratuity. 

During  this  war,  the  English  manifested  a  very 
bitter  spirit  against  the  Indians.  This,  of  course, 


•244  MATHER'S  STRONG  LANGUAGE. 

was  to  be  expected.  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  when 
speaking  of  the  benefit  of  prayer  against  Philip, 
says,  "  Nor  could  they  cease  crying  to  the  Lord 
until  they  had  prayed  the  bullet  into  his  heart."  At 
another  time,  when  speaking  of  the  death  of  some 
of  Philip's  people  at  Narraganset,  his  language 
was,  "  We  have  heard  of  two  and  twenty  Indian 
captains  slain,  all  of  them  brought  down  to  hell  in 
one  day."  In  the  year  1700,  he  wrote,  "  It  was  not 
long  before  the  hand  which  now  writes,  upon  a  cer- 
tain occasion,  took  off  the  jaw  from  the  exposed 
skull  of  that  blasphemous  leviathan  ;  and  the  re- 
nowned Samuel  Lee  hath  since  been  a  pastor  to  an 
English  congregation,  sounding  and  showing  the 
praises  of  heaven  upon  that  very  spot  of  ground 
where  Philip  and  his  Indians  were  lately  worship- 
ping the  devil."  It  would  seem,  from  this,  that  the 
skull  of  this  famous  Indian  chieftain  was  exposed 
about  twenty-five  years. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

"  A  valiant  man 

Ought  not  to  undergo  or  tempt  a  danger 
But  worthily,  and  by  selected  ways. 
He  undertakes  by  reason,  not  by  chance."  —  BEW  Jowsow. 

"  The  wise  and  active  conquer  difficulties, 
By  daring  to  attempt  them.    Sloth  and  folly 
Shiver  and  shrink  at  sight  of  toil  and  hazard, 
And  make  the  impossibility  they  fear."  —  ROWE. 

The  War  not  ended.  —  Annawon  holds  out. — Prowls  around  the 
Towns.  —  Church  goes  in  Pursuit.  —  Captures  a  Party  of  In- 
dians.—  Man  seeking  his  Father.  —  Church  discovers  a  Path. — 
Takes  an  old  Indian  and  young  Girl.  —  Examines  them.  — 
Learns  Annawon's  Retreat. — Old  Man  becomes  Guide.  —  He 
refuses  to  fight  against  his  Chief.  —  Leads  them  to  Annawon's 
Encampment.  —  High  Rock.  —  Exciting  Scene.  —  Church's 
Stratagem.  —  Its  Execution.  —  Annawon  surprised.  —  The  whole 
Band  captured. — Leaders  cannot  sleep.  —  Philip's  Ornaments 
delivered  up. —  Church's  Anxiety.  —  Morning.  —  Prisoners  taken 
to  Plymouth.  —  What  shall  be  done  with  them  1  —  Opinion  of 
Ministers.  —  Young  Annawon.  —  Prisoners  sold  into  Slavery.  — 
Church  opposed  to  it. 

THE  death  of  Philip  did  not  terminate  the  war. 
Some  of  the  chiefs  who  had  been  his  adherents 
were  disposed  to  hold  out  against  the  English  some- 
what longer ;  among  these,  none  were  more  noto- 
rious, or  more  feared,  than  Annawon.  He  was 
bold,  cunning,  and  cruel.  He  had  slain  many  of 
the  English,  some  of  whom  were  put  to  death  with 
tortures.  Captain  Church,  having  been  informed; 
21* 


246  CHURCH    SEEKS    ANNAWON. 

after  the  death  of  Philip,  that  Annawon  was  prowl- 
ing around  Rehobotli  and  Swansey,  inflicting  all  the 
injury  in  his  power,  and  being  requested  by  the 
government  to  go  in  pursuit  of  him,  consented. 
His  adventures  on  this  occasion  are  among  the  most 
remarkable  which  occurred  during  this  memorable 
war.  Church  took  with  him  Mr.  Jabez  Rowland, 
another  Englishman  by  the  name  of  Cook,  and  six 
friendly  Indians.  This  was  all  the  force  he  had 
with  which  to  conquer  some  fifty  or  sixty  bold  war- 
riors, commanded  by  one  of  Philip's  bravest  and 
most  sagacious  captains,  at  a  time  when  they  were 
smarting  from  recent  wounds,  irritated  by  their  late 
defeat,  and  burning  to  revenge  the  death  of  their 
recently  slaughtered  chief  and  companions. 

Unmindful  of  the  strength  which  would  be  ar- 
rayed against  them,  this  little  band  advanced  boldly 
into  the  enemy's  country.  It  was  not  long  before 
the  scouts  discovered  a  party  of  Annawon's  men, 
and  captured  them.  This  was  an  encouraging 
omen.  The  captain  inquired  where  he  would  find 
their  chief.  They  gave  him  to  understand  that  that 
was  a  difficult  matter  ;  as,  in  order  to  escape  detec- 
tion, he  changed  his  lodgings  every  night. 

One  of  the  Indians  who  had  accompanied  Church 
asked  permission  to  go  in  search  of  his  father,  who 
was  in  a  swamp,  only  a  few  miles  from  the  place 
where  they  then  were,  with  no  other  company  than 


DISCOVERS     SOME    OF    HIS    PEOPLE.  247 

a  young  squaw.  Church  gave  him  permission,  but 
concluded  to  go  with  him,  in  hopes  of  getting  track 
of  Annawon.  Taking  with  him  a  few  of  the  party, 
he  set  out,  leaving  Howland  behind.  When  they 
arrived  at  the  swamp,  he  sent  the  Indian  on  to  find 
his  father.  Whilst  he  was  gone,  Church  succeeded 
in  discovering  a  narrow  path,  which  led  from  a  forest 
in  the  vicinity  down  to  the  swamp.  Believing  it  to 
have  been  made  by  Indians,  he  ordered  his  men  to 
conceal  themselves,  some  on  one  side,  and  some  on 
the  other.  Presently  the  noise  of  footsteps  were 
heard  approaching  them.  In  a  few  moments  an  old 
Indian  made  liis  appearance,  with  a  gun  resting  care- 
lessly on  his  shoulder,  and  a  young  squaw  following 
him.  each  of  whom  had  a  basket.  As  soon  as  they 
reached  a  point  in  the  path  between  the  men,  Church 
und  his  company  suddenly  rose  from  their  ambush, 
and  seized  them. 

To  prevent  all  collusion  between  them,  and  by 
the  correspondence  of  their  answers  to  detect  the 
truthfulness  of  their  statements,  he  examined  them 
apart.  Taking  the  girl  one  side  he  asked,  — 

"  What  company  did  you  leave  last  ?  " 

"  Captain  Annawon's,"  she  answered. 

"  How  many  men  were  with  him  when  you  left  1 " 

"  Fifty  or  sixty,"  was  her  reply. 

"How  many  miles  is  it  to  the  place  where  you 
left  him  ?" 


248  THE    PRISONERS    EXAMINED. 

"  I  don't  know  miles ;  but  he  is  in  Squannaconk 
Swamp."  This  was  in  the  east  part  of  Rehoboth, 
near  Old  Taunton. 

Turning  from  the  girl,  he  commenced  an  exami- 
nation of  the  old  man.  He  gave  precisely  the  same 
information. 

"  Can  you  get  there  by  night  1  "  asked  Church. 

"  If  we  set  out  immediately,  and  travel  fast,  we 
may  reach  there  by  sunset." 

"Who  are  you,  and  where  were  you  going  1  "  asked 
Church. 

"  I  am  one  of  Annawon's  men,  and  he  has  sent 
me  after  some  of  the  tribe  who  have  gone  to  Mount 
Hope  Neck  to  kill  provision." 

Church  informed  him  that  those  men  had  been 
taken  prisoners. 

The  Indian,  who  had  gone  after  his  father,  now 
returned  with  him,  bringing  also  another  man. 

The  active  mind  of  Church  soon  devised  a  plan 
of  procedure. 

"  Men,"  said  he,  "  will  you  go  with  me  and  give 
Annawon  a  visit  1 " 

"  Yes,"  was  their  unanimous  answer.  At  the  same 
time  they  told  him  that  they  knew  that  Annawon  was 
a  bold  chieftain,  and  the  men  with  him  were  among 
the  bravest  of  the  army.  They  doubted  whether 
such  a  mere  handful  as  they  were  could  make  any 
impression  upon  such  a  number  of  such  men.  Church, 


THE    PRISONER    TURNS    GUIDE.  249 

however,  was  undaunted.  He  said  he  had  been  a 
long  time  searching  for  Annawon  in  vain,  and  he 
had  not  the  least  doubt  that  Providence  would  pro- 
tect them.  Courage  is  sympathetic.  When  the 
men  saw  the  fearlessness  of  Church,  their  objections 
became  inoperative,  and  they  desired  to  be  led 
forward. 

Church  now  said  to  the  old  man  whom  he  had 
taken,  — 

"  Will  you  be  our  pilot  to  Annawon  1  " 

''  You  have  spared  my  life  :  I  am  bound  to  serve 
you,"  was  his  answer. 

They  now  set  out  towards  Annawon's  hiding- 
place,  guided  by  the  old  man.  After  travelling  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  through  woods,  swamps,  and 
thickets,  for  several  hours,  the  old  man  suddenly 
halted. 

"  What 's  the  matter  ?  have  you  made  a  discov- 
ery ?  "  asked  Church. 

"  No,"  replied  the  guide ;  "  but  about  this  hour 
every  day  Annawon  sends  out  his  scouts  to  see  that 
no  enemy  is  in  sight.  As  soon  as  it  begins  to  grow 
dark,  they  will  return,  and  then  we  can  move  on 
securely."  When  the  shades  of  evening  were  suffi- 
ciently deep  to  furnish  them  a  veil  of  safety,  they 
renewed  their  march.  As  they  started,  Church  asked 
the  old  man,  — 

"  Will  you  take  a  gun,  and  fight  for  me  ?  " 


250  ANNAWON     DISCOVERED. 

The  Indian  made  a  low  bow,  and  said  he  hoped 
that  they  would  not  impose  such  a  task  upon  him  as 
to  fight  against  Captain  Annawon,  his  old  friend. 
"  But  I  will  go  along  with  you,  and  help  you,  and 
will  lay  hands  on  any  man  that  shall  offer  to  hurt 
you." 

After  walking  a  short  distance,  a  noise  was  heard. 
Church  ordered  the  men  to  stop  and  listen.  It  was 
some  one  pounding  corn.  They  now  knew  they 
were  very  near  Annawon's  retreat,  and  great  caution 
was  necessary  to  avoid  detection.  Near  by  was  a 
high  rock,  one  side  of  which  was  a  perpendicular 
precipice ;  the  other  side  formed  a  gentle  inclined 
plane.  Church,  and  two  of  his  Indians,  crept  slowly 
and  silently  up  the  sloping  side  of  this  rock  till  they 
reached  its  lofty  summit.  They  then  beheld  a  sight 
which  was  enough  to  have  made  any  other  than 
hearts  of  the  bravest  character  quail  with  fear.  An- 
nawon's whole  band  of  fifty  or  sixty  Indians  were  be- 
fore them.  By  the  light  of  their  numerous  fires, 
which  illumined  the  surrounding  darkness,  they  saw 
that  they  were  divided  into  three  companies.  Around 
the  fires  were  groups  of  men  and  women,  waiting 
for  the  pots  to  boil,  or  the  meat  to  roast,  which  they 
were  engaged  in  cooking.  At  the  base  of  the  rock 
was  Annawon's  lodging-place.  It  was  formed  by  a 
tree  leaning  against  a  rock,  and  sheltered  on  each 
side  with  bushes.  Annawon,  with  his  son,  and  some 


A    PERILOUS    ATTEMPT.  251 

of  his  principal  men,  were  there.  As  there  was  no 
possibility  of  lowering  himself  down  the  steep  de- 
clivity, without  detection,  he  crawled  cautiously  back 
and  inquired  of  his  old  guide  if  there  was  no  other 
way  of  entering  among  them.  The  guide  told  him 
no.  All  the  other  sides  of  the  swamp  were  guarded, 
and  the  Indians  themselves  had  been  ordered  to 
come  this  way ;  that  if  any  attempted  to  enter  at  any 
other  point,  they  would  be  taken  for  enemies,  and 
shot.  Church  noticed  that  the  men  who  were  imme- 
diately around  Annawon  were  not  in  possession  of 
their  arms.  Their  guns  were  leaning  against  a  hori- 
zontal pole,  which  was  supported  by  two  crotchets, 
and  were  covered  with  mats  to  protect  them  from 
the  dew.  This  was  more  favorable  for  him.  Yet 
what  could  he  do  ?  He  had  only  a  half  dozen  men, 
and  Annawoii  had  about  sixty.  To  attempt  their 
capture  against  such  odds,  must  have  seemed  like  a 
forlorn  hope.  Yet  Church  resolved  to  attempt  it  by 
stratagem.  He  told  the  guide  and  the  young  woman 
to  take  their  baskets  on  their  backs,  and  pass  into 
the  encampment  at  the  usual  place  of  entrance.  In 
this  way  he  thought  Annawon  would  be  deceived, 
and  would  imagine  it  some  of  his  own  party,  espe- 
cially when  he  should  recognize  the  old  man  whom  he 
had  sent  after  the  Indians.  Church  crept  down  im- 
mediately behind  the  guide,  with  hatchet  in  hand, 
concealed  by  the  dark  shadow  of  his  basket,  which 


252  CHURCH'S  STRATAGEM. 

the  fires  caused :  then  came  the  girl  with  her 
basket,  in  the  shadow  of  which  crouched  the  rest  of 
the  party.  In  an  instant  they  leaped  over  the  head 
of  young  Annawon,  who  rolled  his  blanket  around 
him  and  curled  into  a  heap ;  they  then  sprung  for  the 
stacked  guns.  Old  Annawon  started  up,  and  with  a 
cry  of  surprise  signified  that  he  was  taken.  Church 
told  him  that  resistance  was  in  vain,  as  the  swamp 
was  invested  with  a  large  army  of  the  English,  who 
would  kill  every  one  who  showed  a  disposition  to 
fight ;  but  if  they  would  yield  quietly,  no  harm 
should  befall  them.  The  Indians  with  Church,  who 
were  well  known  to  Annawon's  men,  ran  in  among 
the  three  different  divisions  of  the  enemy,  told  them 
the  same  story,  and  exhorted  them  to  give  up  their 
arms  without  resistance,  or  death  would  be  the  con- 
sequence of  refusal,  as  they  were  surrounded  by 
large  numbers  of  the  English.  Believing  the  stories 
to  be  true,  they  passively  yielded  themselves  prisoners 
of  war,  and  delivered  up  all  guns,  hatchets,  and 
other  weapons.  Having  succeeded  thus  far,  Church 
knew  it  would  not  do  to  show  the  least  degree  of 
timidity,  as  that  would  expose  his  stratagem,  and 
death  would  inevitably  follow.  He  therefore  kept 
on  a  bold  front,  and  said  to  Annawon,  "  What  have 
you  got  for  supper,  as  I  intend  to  sup  with  you  ?  " 

"  Taubut,"  answered  the  chief;  and  then  turning 
to  his  women,  he  told  them  to  furnish  Captain 
Church  and  his  men  a  supper. 


ANNA.WON*    WITHDRAWS.  253 

"  Which  will  you  have,"  said  Annawon,  "  cow- 
oeef  or  horse-beef?  " 

"  Cow-beef,"  replied  Church. 

In  a  short  time  it  was  ready,  and  the  men  made 
a  good  meal.  After  supper,  Church  told  his  men, 
if  they  would  watch,  and  let  him  sleep  for  two  hours, 
he  would  keep  guard  the  rest  of  the  night,  as  he  had 
had  no  sleep  for  thirty-six  hours.  They  agreed  to 
the  proposal,  and  Church  laid  down  to  sleep.  But 
after  lying  half  an  hour,  and  finding  it  impossible, 
under  such  circumstances,  to  catch  even  a  short  nap, 
he  looked  after  his  sentinels,  and  found  them  all 
enjoying 

"  Tired  Nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep." 

Church  had  thrown  himself  down  by  the  side  of 
Annawon,  to  prevent  his  escape.  After  some  time, 
the  chief  arose  and  walked  away  in  the  darknesf. 
He  was  gone  so  long  that  Church  began  to  suspect 
he  had  given  him  the  slip.  He  therefore  took  all  the 
guns,  placed  them  near  to  himself,  and  then  laid 
down  close  to  young  Annawon,  so  that  no  attempt 
upon  his  life  could  be  made  without  perilling  the 
young  chief  also.  After  a  while,  the  painfiil  sus- 
pense of  Church  was  relieved  by  Annawon 's  return. 
He  came  with  a  bundle  in  his  hand.  Kneeling  at 
the  feet  of  Church,  he  said,  "  Great  captain,  you 
have  killed  Philip,  and  conquered  his  country,  for  I 
22 


254  ANNAWON'S  PRESENTS. 

believe  that  I  and  my  company  are  the  last  that  war 
against  the  English ;  so  I  suppose  the  war  is  ended  by 
your  means,  and  therefore  these  things  belong  unto 
you."  He  then  drew  from  his  bundle  a  belt,  nine 
inches  broad,  and  seven  or  eight  feet  long,  most  beauti- 
fully embroidered,  by  having  figures  of  beasts,  birds, 
and  flowers  elaborately  wrought  into  it,  and  a  quantity 
of  variegated  wampum,  or  Indian  money.  Another 
belt,  also  highly  embroidered,  was  next  handed  him. 
This  was  used  as  a  head  dress :  from  it  hung  two 
flags,  which  fell  over  and  ornamented  the  back. 
Then  another  he  drew  from  his  bundle,  decorated 
with  a  star.  This  was  designed  for  the  breast.  All 
of  these  belts  were  fringed  with  red  hair,  which  was 
obtained  from  the  Mohawks.  He  next  brought  out 
"  two  horns  of  glazed  powder  and  a  red  blanket." 
"  These,"  said  Annawon,  "are  the  royal  robes  and 
ornaments  in  which  Philip  was  accustomed  to  array 
liimself  on  important  public  occasions  ;  they  are  all 
that  remains  of  him.  As  you  are  his  conqueror,  I 
cheerfully  give  them  to  you." 

As  it  was  impossible  for  either  of  them  to  sleep, 
in  the  exciting  circumstances  in  which  they  were 
placed,  they  spent  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  con- 
versation, in  which  the  chief  narrated  the  great  vic- 
tories he  had  won  over  various  tribes  of  Indians, 
when  he  fought  under  Massasoit. 

To  Church  time  seemed  to  fly  with  leaden  wings. 


. 


CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR.  255 

ight  wore  away  with  extreme  slowness.  He  was 
impatient  for  the  gray  dawn  of  the  morning.  He 
had  taken  a  large  band  of  Indians,  and  was  anxious 
to  secure  them  before  his  stratagem  was  discovered. 
When  it  became  light,  he  gave  orders  to  march. 
They  all  set  out  for  Taunton.  On  the  way  they 
met  Lieutenant  Rowland,  who  was  left  behind  when 
Church  with  his  few  men  accompanied  the  Indian 
who  went  in  search  of  his  father.  A  few  words  told 
the  whole  story,  and  filled  him  with  amazement. 
They  spent  the  night  at  Taunton.  The  next  day, 
Church  sent  the  great  body  of  the  Indians,  under  the 
care  of  Rowland,  to  Plymouth.  But  Annawon  and 
a  few  Indian  soldiers  he  took  with  himself  to  Rhode 
Island,  to  his  family,  and  from  thence  to  Plymouth. 
This  may  be  regarded  as  the  conclusion  of  Philip's 
famous  war,  for  after  this  there  was  no  organized 
opposition  to  the  English.  The  central  power  which 
kept  the  enemy  together  was  broken,  and  the  sub- 
sequent exploits  consisted  mainly  in  pursuing  and 
capturing  small  parties  of  Indians,  who,  perhaps, 
refused  to  submit  quietly,  for  fear  they  would  be 
punished  for  having  taken  up  arms  against  the  Eng- 
lish. Some  of  these  closing  skirmishes  were  full 
of  interest.  They  exhibited  ingenious  stratagems, 
sleepless  vigilance,  and  great  bravery.  They  were 
attended,  though  on  a  small  scale,  with  the  promi- 
nent features  of  savage  warfare.  At  the  close  of  the 


256  THE    PRISONERS    ENSLAVED. 

war,  the  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  English  .wer 
to  be  disposed  of.  It  was  a  grave  question,  What 
shall  be  done  with  them  ?  Opinions  were  divided. 
Some  inclined  to  mercy,  and  others  to  severity. 
The  subject  was  discussed  both  as  a  political  and 
religious  question,  and  many  passages  of  Scripture 
were  examined  in  relation  to  it.  The  most  knotty 
point  of  all  was,  What  shall  be  done  with  Annawon's 
son,  who  would  be  his  father's  successor  ?  The 
court  asked  the  opinion  of  the  ministers.  Samuel 
Arnold,  the  minister  of  Marshfield,  and  John  Cotton, 
the  minister  of  Plymouth,  expressed  the  opinion,  that 
*'  the  children  of  notorious  traitors,  rebels  and  mur- 
therers,  and  such  as  have  been  the  principal  leaders 
and  actors  in  such  horrid  villanies,  and  that  against 
a  whole  nation,  may,  salva  republica,  be  adjudged  to 
death."  They  referred  as  proof  to  various  Scripture 
incidents.  Increase  Mather  seems  to  have  been  in- 
clined to  the  same  sentiment.  Mr.  Keith,  minister 
of  Bridgewater,  favored  a  more  merciful  course. 
The  conclusion  was,  the  young  chief  was  sold  as  a 
slave,  and  sliipped  to  Bermuda.  Many  others  of  the 
prisoners  shared  the  same  fate.  Old  Annawon, 
and  others  who  had  killed  any  of  the  English,  were 
executed.  Church  did  all  in  hig  power  to  prevent 
such  injustice  and  cruelty ;  but  he  was  overruled  by 
a  more  potent  influence. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

"Justice  is  lame,  as  well  as  blind,  amongst  us  ; 
The  laws,  corrupted  to  their  ends  that  make  them, 
Serve  but  for  instruments  of  some  new  tyranny, 
That  every  day  starts  up  t'  enslave  us  deeper." —  OTWAT. 

The  Colonies  affected  by  the  Home  Government.  —  Arrival  of  An- 
dros.  —  Encourages  Episcopacy.  —  Declares  Land  Titles  invalid. 

—  Appropriates    public    Property  to   private  Uses.  —  Prohibits 
Town  Meetings.  —  Other  Oppressions.  —  Andros  imprisoned.  — 
Nathaniel  Clark  seized.  —  Clark's  Island.  —  The  first  Sabbath. 

—  Wiswall  imprisoned.  —  Absence  from  Town  Meetings  fined. 

—  A  Price  for  Wolves'  Heads.  —  The  first  Selectmen.  —  The 
first  Marriage.  —  An  honored  Lady.  —  Introduction  of  Neat  Cat- 
tle. —  First  Record  of  Horses.  —  A  Present  to  Philip.  —  Merry 
Mount.  —  Weetamore  beheaded.  —  Its  Effect  on  the  Indians.  — 
French    Vessel  wrecked.  —  The  Crew   seized    as  Prisoners.  — 
Doctor  Le  Baron.  —  His  Settlement  and  Marriage.  —  His  Attach- 
ment to  the  Cross.  —  A  Premium  for  Rats'  Heads.  —  First  pub- 
lic Celebration  of  "  The  Landing."  —  The  Dinner.  —  The  fa- 
mous   Rock.  —  Its  Locality  proved.  —  The  Evidence  of  Elder 
Faunce  and  others.  —  The  Rock  splits.  —  A  good  Omen.  —  Is 
removed.  —  Treatment  of  Tories.  —  Wonderful  Egg.  —  Dreadful 
Shipwreck.  —  Statistics. 

As  the  colonies  increased  in  size  and  importance, 
they  attracted  more  of  the  attention  of  the  king 
and  parliament  of  Great  Britain.  Their  condition 
was  materially  affected  by  the  changes  in  the  home 
government.  What  they  feared  most  was,  that  at- 
tempts would  be  made  to  abridge  their  liberties. 
These  apprehensions  were  fiitty  realized,  when,  on 
22* 


250  TTKANNY    OF    ATTDROS. 

the  29th  of  December,  1686,  Sir  Edmund  Andr 
arrived,  bringing  with  him  the  commission  of  gov- 
ernor of  all  the  New  England  colonies.  He  was 
a  man  of  arbitrary  spirit,  and  though,  at  first,  he 
made  professions  of  liberality,  he  ruled  like  a  tyrant. 
He  abridged  the  freedom  of  the  press.  He  encour- 
aged episcopacy,  which  had  never  existed  in  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay.  He  desired  the  Puritans  to  relin- 
quish one  of  their  meeting-houses  for  the  episcopal 
church.  Their  answer  was,  "  We  cannot,  with  a 
good  conscience,  consent."  They  were  compelled 
to  yield ;  and  by  an  act  of  tyranny,  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  was  read  by  one  in  a  white 
surplice,  in  a  Puritan  place  of  worship,  in  Boston. 
Those  who  refused  to  lay  their  hands  on  the 
Bible,  when  they  took  an  oath,  were  fined  and 
imprisoned.  He  declared  the  usual  legal  titles  to 
lands  invalid,  and  subjected  the  people  to  great  ex- 
pense to  get  their  titles  confirmed.  He  appropri- 
ated public  and  private  property  to  the  use  of  his 
own  partisans.  He,  with  his  council,  who  were 
appointed  by  the  crown,  assessed  all  taxes.  He  pro- 
hibited all  town  meetings,  except  for  the  choice  of 
town  officers ;  fined  and  imprisoned  those  who 
spoke  too  freely  against  his  administration  ;  pun- 
ished town  clerks  who  refused  to  give  up,  at  his 
demand,  their  town  records.  He  demanded  exorbi- 
tant fees  for  all  public  business  ;  required  all  under 


ANDROS    IMPRISONED.  269 

his  government  to  transact  probate  business  in  the 
probate  court  at  Boston.  This,  of  course,  sub- 
jected those  who  resided  in  the  distant  colonies  to 
great  inconvenience,  loss  of  time,  and  expense.  In 
various  other  ways  did  he  oppress  the  people,  until 
they  were  obliged  to  present  their  complaints  against 
him  to  the  king.  These  were  received  with  no  favor. 
His  despotic  administration  continued  until  the  ac- 
cession of  William  and  Mary,  when  the  people  of  the 
colonies  rose  in  arms,  seized  Andros,  confined  him 
in  prison,  obliged  liim  to  resign,  and  then  re-chose 
their  old  governor,  Simon  Bradstreet,  who  was 
nearly  ninety  years  of  age. 

As  soon  as  the  news  of  the  change  in  the  govern- 
ment reached  Plymouth,  the  people  there  laid  hands 
upon  one  Nathaniel  Clark,  a  man  of  similar  political 
sentiments  and  spirit  with  Andros,  whose  parasite  he 
was,  and  imprisoned  him.  One  reason  for  this  was, 
that  Clark,  under  the  usurped  authority  of  Andros, 
had  taken  possession  of  an  island  in  Plymouth  Har- 
bor, which  had  been  appropriated  by  the  town  for  the 
support  of  their  poor. 

It  was  the  island  on  which  the  Puritans  kept  their 
first  Christian  Sabbath  in  New  England,  when  they 
were  in  search  along  the  coast  for  a  harbor.  It  was 
therefore  associated  in  their  minds  with  pleasant, 
sacred  reminiscences.  No  other  spot,  probably, 
could  have  been  wrested  from  them  which  would 


280  PREMIUM    FOR    WOLVES'    HEADS. 

haye  given  them  more  pain  to  part  with  than  this. 
So  indignant  were  Mr.  Faunce  and  Rev.  Mr.  Wis- 
wall,  the  minister  of  Duxbury,  at  this  high-handed 
robbery,  that  they  interfered  in  the  matter.  For  this 
interference  they  were  prosecuted,  fined,  and  put 
under  bonds  to  appear  at  the  higher  court  in  Boston. 
Mr.  Wiswall  was  subsequently  sent  to  prison.  As 
the  natural  result  of  Clark's  oppressive  and  rapacious 
conduct,  the  people  of  Plymouth  were  incensed 
against  him,  and  gladly  availed  themselves  of  the 
first  favorable  opportunity  to  bring  him  to  justice. 

We  propose  now  to  group  together  a  variety  of 
facts,  having  no  connection  with  each  other,  yet  too 
interesting  to  be  omitted. 

In  1646,  it  having  been  observed  that  town  meet- 
ings were  not  well  attended,  an  order  was  passed 
that  every  person  who  should  be  absent  from  such 
meeting  after  being  regularly  summoned,  should  be 
fined  twelve  pence,  unless  he  could  furnish  a  satis- 
factory excuse. 

Three  years  afterwards,  a  town  meeting  was  held 
at  the  house  of  Governor  Bradford,  where  it  was  or- 
dered that  whoever  should  kill  one  or  more  wolves, 
and  show  the  skins  or  heads  as  evidence  of  such 
death,  should  receive  fifteen  shillings  for  each  one 
destroyed  within  the  liberties  of  the  town.  On  the 
same  occasion,  a  number  of  individuals  agreed  "  to 


FIRST    SELECTMEN.  2G1 

pay  two  cents  apiece  to  any  Indian  who  shall  kill  a 
wolf,  and  make  it  known  to  the  governor  by  w 
doubted  testimony ;  and  such  as  shall  kill  lesser 
wolves,  shall  have  an  axe  or  hatchet  for  each  one 
killed."  It  was  also  agreed,  that  five  wolf-traps 
should  be  made  by  several  companies  of  the  towns- 
men, the  names  of  Avhom  were  to  be  put  upon  paper, 
that  arrangements  might  be  made  to  have  the  traps 
properly  tended. 

The  first  appointment  of  selectmen  to  manage  the 
affairs  of  the  town  occurred  the  same  year,  when 
seven  "  discreet  men  "  were  chosen,  whose  duty  it 
was  to  dispose  of  lands,  to  provide  employment  and 
support  for  the  poor,  and  take  charge  of  the  affairs 
of  the  town  generally.  A  few  years  after  this,  their 
powers  were  considerably  enlarged. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  colony  was  solemnized 
on  May  12,  1621,  between  Mr.  Edward  Winslow 
and  Mrs.  Susannah  White.  Mr.  W.  had  been  a 
widower  between  two  and  three  months.  The  lady 
was  the  widow  of  Mr.  William  White,  and  mother 
of  Peregrine  White,  the  first  English  child  born  in 
the  colony.  Mr.  Baylies  says,  "  It  is  a  singular  co- 
incidence, that  Mrs.  White  should  have  been  the  first 
mother  and  the  first  bride  in  a  country  which  has 
produced  a  race  so  distinguished  as  the  New  Eng- 
landers.  This  would  have  been  cited  by  the  ancients 
as  an  instance  of  rare  and  happy  fortune,  if  we  add 


262   INTRODUCTION  OF  CATTLE  AND  HORSES. 

to  that  the  peculiar  happiness  of  having  been  the 
wife  of  a  distinguished  governor  of  her  own  colony, 
and  the  mother  of  another,  equally  distinguished, 
who,  to  his  other,  added  the  high  and  solitary  honor 
of  having  been  the  cominander-in-chief  of  the  forces 
of  the  confederate  colonies,  in  a  war  involving  their 
existence."  The  fortune  of  such  a  lady  must  be 
regarded  as  "  transcendently  prosperous."  When 
Winslow  was  sent  to  England  as  agent  for  the  col- 
ony in  1623,  he  brought  back,  on  his  return,  three 
heifers  and  a  bull.  These  were  the  first  neat  cattle 
introduced  into  the  colony. 

About  twenty  years  after  this,  we  find  horses  are 
spoken  of.  The  first  record  concerning  them  was 
made  in  1644,  when  we  learn  that  a  mare,  belonging 
to  the  estate  of  Stephen  Hopkins,  was  valued  at  six 
pounds  sterling.  Three  years  subsequent,  a  colt  was 
appraised  at  four  pounds  sterling,  and  a  mare  and 
colt  at  fourteen  pounds  sterling.  Ten  years  later, 
the  court  passed  an  act,  that  every  freeholder  who 
should  own  three  mares,  and  who  would  "  keep  one 
horse  for  military  service,  should  be  freed  from  all 
military  service,  training,  and  watching."  During 
the  time  that  the  colony  was  without  horses,  it  was 
not  an  unusual  thing  for  them  to  ride  upon  bulls,  as 
we  have  seen  in  the  case  of  Mr.  John  Alden,  who 
went  after  his  bride  and  brought  her  home  in  that 
manner.  In  1665,  the  court  presented  Philip,  the 


A    BEAUTIFUL    HILL.  263 

Indian  chief,  with  a  horse.  "  It  would  gratify  curi- 
osity to  know  in  what  manner  King  Philip,  and  the 
natives  in  general,  were  affected  by  the  first  sight 
of  horses  and  cows.  Their  minds  must  have  been 
overwhelmed  with  astonishment  to  see  men  riding 
on  horses  and  bulls." 

There  is  in  Quincy  a  beautiful  swell  of  land  near 
the  water,  about  one  hundred  feet  high,  from  which 
a  fine  view  may  be  obtained  of  a  delightful  landscape, 
embracing  on  one  side  hill  and  dale,  dense  forest 
and  open  plain  ;  and  on  the  other,  the  numerous 
islands  and  forts  in  the  bay,  which,  when  the  ocean 
is  calm,  appear  like  jewels  on  the  surface  of  a  mir- 
ror ;  whilst  farther  beyond  may  be  seen  the  city  of 
Boston,  crowned  with  its  elevated  State  House,  the 
tall  granite  monument  on  Bunker  Hill,  and  the  white 
spires  of  numerous  churches  in  the  surrounding  vil- 
lages. All  combined,  they  present,  especially  in  a 
pleasant  day,  a  scene  of  enchantment  which,  when 
once  beheld,  will  not  be  soon  forgotten.  But,  like 
many  other  beautiful  spots  of  earth,  it  has  been  the 
scene  of  lawless  merriment,  drunken  carousals,  and 
midnight  orgies.  In  1625,  Captain  Wollaston,  with 
thirty  others,  commenced  a  settlement  here,  which 
gave  to  the  place  the  name  of  Mount  Wollaston. 
Among  the  company  was  one  Thomas  Morton,  who, 
when  Wollaston  left,  managed  to  obtain  the  control 
of  affairs.  He  opened  trade  with  the  natives,  and 


264  MERRY     MOUNT. 

devoted  the  profits  of  it  to  sports  by  day,  and 
drunken  carousals  by  night.  He  changed  the  name 
of  the  place  to  one  which  he  doubtiess  designed  to 
be  more  appropriate,  calling  it  Merry  Mount,  where, 
according  to  the  New  England  Memorial,  they  set 
up  a  "  May-pole,  drinking  and  dancing  about  it,  and 
frisking  about  it  like  so  many  fairies,  or  furies  rather  ; 
yea,  and  worse  practices,  as  if  they  had  anew  re- 
vived and  celebrated  the  feast  of  the  Roman  goddess 
Flora,  or  the  beastly  practices  of  the  mad  bacchana- 
lians." He  furnished  the  Indians  with  gunpowder, 
and  taught  them  how  to  use  it.  He  supplied  them 
with  ardent  spirits.  He  gave  servants  their  liberty, 
and,  being  destitute  of  moral  principle,  he  encouraged 
all  kinds  of  dissipation.  The  government  at  Plym- 
outh at  first  wrote  to  him  admonitory  letters.  To 
these  he  gave  no  heed ;  until,  finally,  his  influence 
becoming  so  deleterious,  they  sent  Captain  Standish 
to  seize  him.  When  Standish  arrived,  he  found 
Morton  prepared  to  resist  him ;  but  by  adopting,  as 
he  well  knew  how,  timely  and  decisive  measures,  he 
succeeded  in  seizing  him  and  carrying  him  to  Plym- 
outh. Morton  was  sent  to  England,  but  was  per- 
mitted to  return  the  following  year.  He  indulged 
in  various  accusations  and  bitter  invectives  against 
the  Puritans,  which,  after  his  return,  were  used  as 
evidence  against  him.  He  was  denominated  the 
accuser  of  the  brethren.  He  was  tried  by  the 


A    SQUAW    BEHEADED. 

court,  who  fined  him  one  hundred  pounds.  Being 
destitute  of  property,  he  was  unable  to  pay  it.  It  is 
said  that  nothing  but  his  old  age  saved  him  from  the 
whipping-post.  He  withdrew  to  Acamenticus,  where 
he  terminated  his  dissolute  course  a  year  or  two  after. 

The  old-fashioned  method  of  lining  the  hymns, 
which  is  still  practised  in  some  parts  of  the  country, 
was  introduced  into  the  Plymouth  church  in  1681. 
One  line  was  read,  and  after  this  was  sung  then 
another  was  read,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  hymn. 
It  is  said  that  this  practice  was  proposed  in  the 
church  by  a  brother  who  could  not  read.  The  pastor 
first  announced  the  number  of  the  psalm,  and  then 
the  elder  lined  it  off. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1667,  Weetamore,  the 
squaw  sachem  of  Pocasset,  was  drowned  in  attempt- 
ing to  escape  from  her  pursuers,  by  crossing  Tetti- 
cut  River  on  a  frail  raft.  Some  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Taunton,  finding  the  dead  body  of  a  squaw  in 
Mettapoisett,  cut  off  her  head.  It  was  found  to  be 
the  unfortunate  Weetamore.  She  had  been  bitterly 
opposed  to  the  English,  and,  according  to  Doctor 
Mather's  testimony,  "  she  was  next  unto  Philip,  in 
respect  of  the  mischief  that  hath  been  done."  When 
her  head  was  placed  upon  a  pole  in  Taunton,  the 
Indian  prisoners  who  were  there  instantly  recognized 
it,  and  "  made  a  most  horrid  and  diabolical  lamenta- 
tion, crying  out  that  it  was  their  queen's  head." 
23 


266  DR.    LE    BARON. 

It  is  painful  to  contemplate  such  unnecessary  bar- 
barity. It  is  an  illustration  of  the  tendencies  of  war 
to  blunt  and  harden  the  sensibilities  of  the  heart. 

In  1696,  a  vessel  was  wrecked  in  Buzzard's  Bay. 
It  proved  to  be  a  French  privateer.  The  crew  were 
seized  and  carried  as  prisoners  to  Boston.  This 
was  after  the  colonial  charter  of  Plymouth  was  ab- 
rogated, and  she  was  united  with  the  colony  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay,  as  a  British  province.  It  was  for 
this  reason  that  they  were  taken  to  Boston,  instead 
of  Plymouth.  Among  these  shipwrecked  prisoners 
was  a  surgeon  by  the  name  of  Le  Baron.  As  Plym- 
outh was  at  that  time  destitute  of  a  physician,  Dr. 
Le  Baron  was  called  upon  to  perform  a  surgical 
operation  there.  He  did  this  with  so  much  success, 
that  the  selectmen  of  the  town  sent  a  petition  to 
Lieutenant  Governor  Stoughton,  praying  for  Le 
Baron's  liberation,  in  order  that  he  might  settle  as  a 
physician  in  Plymouth.  Their  petition  being  granted, 
the  imprisoned  Le  Baron  took  up  his  abode  among 
them,  and  entered  upon  liis  professional  career.  He 
formed  an  acquaintance  with  Mary  Wilder,  to  whom 
he  was  soon  after  united  in  marriage.  He  continued 
the  practice  of  medicine  here  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1704.  Le  Baron  was  a  rigid  Catholic. 
So  strong  were  his  religious  prepossessions,  that  he 
never  went  to  sleep  at  night  without  placing  a  small 
cross  on  his  breast.  He  was  a  man  of  benevolent 


THE    FIRST    CELEBRATION.  367 

disposition,  of  which  we  have  one  evidence  in  a  dona- 
tion which  he  made  of  fifty  acres  of  woodland  to  the 
town.  It  is  stated  by  Thatcher,  that  "  from  this 
stock  all  that  bear  the  name  of  Le  Baron  in  this 
country  are  descended,  and  they  are  numerous  and 
respectable."  This,  of  course,  is  true  only  upon  the 
supposition  that  no  others  of  the  same  name  have 
ever  immigrated  to  America  since  his  day. 

In  1738,  it  was  voted,  that  for  every  full-grown 
rat  that  should  be  killed,  threepence  should  be  paid 
out  of  the  public  treasury ;  and  six  years  later  it  was 
voted,  that  every  male  head  of  a  family  should  pro- 
cure ten  grown  rats'  heads,  or  pay  a  fine  of  sixpence 
per  head  for  all  that  fell  short. 

The  first  time  that  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim 
fathers  was  publicly  celebrated  in  Plymouth  was 
December  22,  1769.  The  Old  Colony  Club,  which 
had  been  formed  in  January  of  the  same  year, 
originated  and  carried  through  the  celebration. 
The  morning  was  opened  with  a  discharge  of 
cannon.  An  elegant  silk  flag  waved  in  the  breeze 
from  the  top  of  the  hall,  bearing  the  inscription, 
«  Old  Colony,  1620."  At  11,  A.  M.,  the  members 
of  the  club  assembled  in  the  hall,  and  from  thence 
proceeded  to  an  inn  kept  by  Mr.  Howland,  upon  the 
identical  spot  where  stood  the  first  licensed  house  of 
the  old  colony.  As  some  may  be  interested  to  know 
the  kind  of  fare  with  which  they  were  furnished  on 


206  A    PECULIAR    DINNER. 

that  occasion,  we  will  give  the  dishes.  "  1,  a  large 
baked  Indian  whortleberry  pudding ;  2,  a  dish  of 
sauquetach,  (pronounced  sukketash,  corn  and  beans 
boiled  together ;)  3,  a  dish  of  clams ;  4,  a  dish  of 
oysters  and  a  dish  of  codfish ;  5,  a  haunch  of  veni- 
son, roasted  in  the  first  jack  brought  to  the  colony ; 
6,  a  dish  of  sea-fowl ;  7,  a  dish  of  frost  fish  and  eels  ; 
8,  an  apple  pie ;  9,  a  course  of  cranberry  tarts,  and 
cheese  made  in  the  Old  Colony."  In  imitation  of 
their  ancestors,  all  luxury  and  extravagance  were 
avoided,  the  dishes  being  dressed  in  the  plainest 
manner.  After  dinner,  a  procession  was  formed  of 
the  members,  headed  by  the  steward  of  the  club 
bearing  a  large  volume  of  the  laws  of  the  colony, 
who  marched  hand  in  hand  to  the  hall.  When  they 
arrived  in  front  of  the  hall,  a  company  of  the  de- 
scendants of  the  first  settlers  formed  a  regular  fife, 
and  greeted  them  with  a  discharge  of  small  arms 
and  three  cheers.  These  were  returned  by  the  club, 
and  "  the  gentlemen  generously  treated."  After 
this,  the  scholars  of  the  grammar  school  joined  in 
singing  a  song  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  At  sun- 
set, a  cannon  was  fired  and  the  flag  struck.  In  the 
evening  the  hall  was  beautifully  illuminated.  The 
president  occupied  the  antique  chair,  which  was  for- 
merly the  property  of  Governor  Bradford.  Addresses 
were  made,  sentiments  expressed,  and  toasts  drank. 
At  11,  P.  M.,  a  cannon  was  fired,  and  after  three 
hearty  cheers  the  company  withdrew. 


FOREFATHERS'  ROCK. 

The  thrilling  emotions  awakened  in  the  mind  by 
a  visit  to  the  famous  Forefathers'  Rock,  are  some- 
times cheeked  by  the  thought  that  perhaps  there  is 
some  uncertainty  in  its  traditionary  location.  It 
becomes,  therefore,  an  interesting  question,  On  what 
evidence  does  the  generally  received  opinion  rest, 
that  this  is  the  identical  rock  on  which  the  Pilgrims 
first  stepped  1  In  answer  to  this  question,  Mr.  Rus- 
sell, in  his  interesting  "  Guide  to  Plymouth,"  says, 
"  Besides  the  general  and  undisputed  tradition  which 
designates  it  as  that  on  which  the  fathers  landed,  it 
was  ascertained  to  be  the  same  on  an  interesting 
occasion  in  the  life  of  Elder  Thomas  Faunce,  the 
last  ruling  elder  in  the  first  church  of  Plymouth, 
who  was  born  in  the  year  1646,  and  died  in  the  year 
1745,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-nine  years.  In 
the  year  1741,  the  elder,  upon  learning  that  a  wharf 
was  about  to  be  built  near,  or  over  the  rock  which, 
up  to  that  period,  had  kept  its  undisturbed  rights  at 
the  water's  edge,  and  fearing  that  the  march  of  im- 
provement might  subject  it  to  injury,  expressed 
much  uneasiness.  Though  residing  three  miles  from 
the  village  of  Plymouth,  and  then  in  declining  health, 
he  left  home,  and,  in  the  presence  of  many  citizens, 
pointed  out  the  rock  we  have  described  as  being  that 
on  which  the  Pilgrims,  with  whom  he  was  contem- 
porary and  well  acquainted,  had  uniformly  declared 
to  be  the  same  on  which  they  lauded  in  1620.  Upon 
23* 


270  OPPOSITION    TO    THE    BRITISH. 

this  occasion,  this  venerable  and  excellent  man  took 
a  final  leave  of  this  cherished  memorial  of  the 
fathers.  The  circumstances  above  related  were 
frequently  mentioned  by  the  late  Hon.  Ephraim 
Spooner,  deceased,  who  was  present  upon  the  occa- 
sion connected  with  Elder  Faunce.  He  was  deacon 
of  the  church  of  Plymouth  forty-one  years,  and  fifty- 
two  years  town  clerk,  and  died  March,  1818,  aged 
eighty-three  years.  The  same  information  was  com- 
municated by  Mrs.  Joanna  White,  widow  of  Gideon 
White,  deceased,  who  was  intimately  acquainted  in 
the  family  of  Elder  Faunce.  She  died  in  1810,  aged 
ninety-five  years.  And  the  same  account  has  been 
transmitted  by  other  aged  persons,  now  deceased, 
within  the  recollection  of  many  now  living." 

During  the  political  excitements  that  preceded  the 
declaration  of  independence,  the  inhabitants  of 
Plymouth  were  not  idle.  They  were  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  questions  of  the  day,  and  adopted  effi- 
cient methods  of  exhibiting  their  opposition  to  the 
tyrannical  measures  of  the  British  Parliament.  In 
1772,  a  town  meeting  was  called,  at  which  a  petition, 
signed  by  over  a  hundred  inhabitants,  was  presented, 
calling  attention  to  the  distressed  and  alarming  situ- 
ation of  the  country,  in  consequence  of  the  oppres- 
sive policy  of  the  British  government,  and  praying 
the  town  to  take  the  subject  into  careful  considera- 
tion. After  this  petition  was  read,  the  town  ap- 


REMOVAL.    OF    THE    ROCK.  271 

pointed  a  standing  committee,  to  open  a  correspond- 
ence with  other  towns  upon  the  existing  troubles,  and 
the  best  course  to  pursue  with  regard  to  them,  and 
to  adopt  any  other  measures  which,  in  their  judgment, 
the  exigency  of  the  case  might  demand.  As  the 
unjust  and  tyrannical  laws  of  the  English  Parliament 
increased,  the  opposition  of  the  Plymouthites  was 
strengthened. 

In  1774,  it  was  resolved  to  use  the  famous  Fore- 
fathers' Rock,  as  fuel  to  increase  in  intensity  the 
flame  of  indignation,  already  burning,  against  the 
tyranny  of  the  mother  country. 

For  this  purpose,  it  was  deemed  desirable  that  the 
rock  should  be  raised  from  its  natural  bed  and 
placed  in  a  central  part  of  the  town,  where  it  might 
be  daily  and  hourly  seen,  and  where  it  might  be 
constantly,  though  silently,  saying,  — 

"  Come  listen  to  my  story, 

Though  often  told  before, 
Of  men  who  passed  to  glory, 

Through  toil  and  travail  sore  5 
Of  men  who  did  for  conscience'  sake 

Their  native  land  forego, 
And  sought  a  home  and  FREEDOM  here, 

Two  hundred  years  ago.'' 

'  A  large  number  of  the  patriotic  citizens  of  the 
town  assembled  on  the  interesting  occasion.  Forty 
oxen  were  brought  down  to  the  shore  to  draw  the 
rock  from  its  ancient,  secluded  resting-place  into 


272  THE    HOCK    BREAKS. 

its  more  exposed  position.  By  means  of  powerful 
screws  it  was  raised  from  its  bed ;  but  in  the  attempt 
to  place  it  upon  the  carriage,  it  fell  apart.  As  no  frac- 
ture had  been  discovered  in  it,  and  as  it  separated 
without  violence,  it  excited  great  surprise.  This 
singular  phenomenon  was  at  once  seized  upon  by  the 
enthusiastic  patriots  of  the  town  as  a  most  favorable 
omen.  They  explained  it  as  significant  of  a  division 
of  the  British  empire.  After  deliberation,  it  was 
decided  to  remove  only  one  part  of  the  rock.  This, 
after  being  placed  upon  the  car,  was  slowly  drawn 
through  the  streets,  followed  by  a  great  number  of 
persons,  to  the  Liberty  Pole  Square,  near  the  meeting- 
house, where  it  is  said  a  flag  was  raised  over  it,  con- 
taining the  brief,  stern  motto  of  defiance,  "  Liberty 
or  Death." 

Having  accomplished  its  object  there,  it  made 
another  journey  on  July  4,  1834,  to  its  present  loca- 
tion, in  front  of  Pilgrim  Hall.  This  was  another 
great  day  for  Plymouth.  The  whole  town  was  alive 
and  full  of  excitement.  Old  and  young,  males  and 
females,  were  inspired  by  the  occasion.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  several  schools  in  the  town,  both  boys  and 
girls,  headed  the  procession.  They  had  with  them 
a  car  bearing  a  model  of  the  Mayflower,  beautifully 
decorated.  It  was  drawn  by  six  boys.  After  them 
came  the  older  inhabitants,  and  others,  many  of 
whom  were  the  lineal  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims, 


PROTECTION    OF    THE    ROCK.  273 

and  bore  their  names.  They  passed  over  that  eleva- 
tion of  land  known  as  Cole's  Hill,  where  the  remains 
of  those  who  died  during  the  first  winter  were  laid. 
When  they  arrived  in  front  of  Pilgrim  Hall,  and 
deposited  the  precious  memorial  in  what  is  presumed 
to  be  its  last  resting-place,  a  volley  of  musketry  was 
fired  over  it  by  the  Standish  Guards  ;  an  address 
was  delivered  by  Dr.  Charles  Cotton,  and  devotional 
services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Kendall.  This 
portion  of  the  rock  is  now  protected  by  a  noble 
structure,  serving  the  double  purpose  of  security  to 
the  rock,  and  a  monument  to  the  Pilgrims.  Thatch- 
er's description  of  it  is  as  follows  :  "  The  fabric  was 
erected  in  June,  1835,  and  consists  of  a  perfect 
ellipse,  forty-one  feet  in  perimeter,  formed  of  \vrought- 
iron  bars,  five  feet  high,  resting  on  a  base  of  hammered 
granite.  The  heads  of  the  perpendicular  bars  are 
harpoons  and  boat  hooks,  arranged  alternately.  The 
whole  is  embellished  with  emblematic  figures  of  cast 
iron.  The  base  of  the  railing  is  studded  with  em- 
blems of  marine  shells,  placed  alternately  reversed, 
having  a  striking  effect.  The  upper  part  of  the 
railing  is  encircled  with  a  wreath  of  iron  castings,  in 
imitation  of  heraldry  curtains,  fringed  with  festoons ; 
of  these  are  forty-one,  bearing  the  names  in  bas- 
relief  of  the  forty-one  Puritan  fathers  who  signed 
the  memorable  compact,  while  in  the  cabin  of  the 
Mayflower,  at  Cape  Cod,  1620.  This  valuable  and 


274  VENERATION  FOR   THE    ROCK. 

interesting  acquisition  reflects  honor  on  all  who  have 
taken  an  interest  in  the  undertaking.  In  the  original 
design,  by  George  W.  Brimmer,  Esq.,  ingenuity  and 
correct  taste  are  displayed ;  and  in  all  its  parts,  the 
work  is  executed  with  much  judgment  and  skill. 
The  castings  are  executed  in  the  most  approved 
style  of  art.  This  appropriate  memorial  will  last  for 
ages,  and  the  names  and  story  of  the  great  founders 
of  our  nation  will  be  made  familiar  to  the  latest 
generation." 

Fragments  of  this  rock  are  scattered  far  and  wide 
throughout  our  country.  That  intelligent  Frencli- 
man,  and  careful  observer  of  the  spirit  and  institu- 
tions of  the  Americans,  De  Tocqueville,  says,  "  This 
rock  has  become  an  object  of  veneration  in  the  Unit- 
ed States.  I  have  seen  bits  of  it  carefully  preserved 
in  several  towns  of  the  Union.  Does  not  this  suffi- 
ciently show  that  all  human  power  and  greatness  is 
in  the  soul  of  man  1  Here  is  a  stone  which  the  feet 
of  a  few  outcasts  pressed  for  an  instant,  and  the 
stone  becomes  famous  ;  it  is  treasured  by  a  great  na- 
tion ;  its  very  dust  is  shared  as  a  relic.  And  what 
has  become  of  the  gateways  of  a  thousand  palaces  1 
Who  cares  for  them  ?  " 

During  the  struggle  that  preceded  the  independ- 
ence of  the  United  States,  there  were  in  Plymouth 
two  parties,  the  whigs  and  tories,  the  former  of 
whom  were  by  far  the  most  numerous.  The  tories 


ABUSE    OF    THE    TORIES.  275 

sympathized  with  the  king  and  Parliament,  and 
were,  therefore,  considered  as  enemies  to  America. 
They  were  subjected  to  various  insults  and  punish- 
ments. The  public  authority  obliged  them  to  make 
a  full  and  public  recantation  of  their  unpopular  po- 
litical opinions  over  their  own  signatures.  These 
were  published  in  the  papers.  When  summary  pun- 
ishment was  inflicted  upon  any  of  them  by  the 
populace,  different  methods  were  adopted.  Some- 
times the  lawless  rioters  would  amuse  themselves 
with  a  sport  which  they  called  "  smoking  the  tories." 
This  was  done  by  confining  the  offenders  in  a  room, 
building  a  fire  on  the  hearth,  and  then  covering  the 
top  of  the  chimney.  Of  course,  all  the  smoke  would 
be  retained  in  the  room.  At  other  times  they  would 
apply  a  coat  of  tar  to  the  person,  and  cover  it  with 
feathers.  Not  unfrequently  they  would  make  the 
poor  horse  of  some  obstinate  tory  suffer  for  the  sins 
of  his  master,  by  shaving  his  tail,  and  cropping  his 
ears.  On  one  occasion,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Dun- 
bar  exposed  for  sale  in  the  market  a  beef  ox,  which 
had  been  killed  by  a  tory,  who  had  rendered  himself 
peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  citizens.  As  soon  as 
this  was  known,  a  number  of  the  more  excitable  por- 
tion of  the  populace  assembled  together,  put  Dunbar 
in  the  carcass  of  the  ox,  clothing  him  with  it  as  if  it 
were  a  coat ;  they  then  tied  the  tripe  around  his  neck 
for  a  cravat,  and  in  that  humiliating  condition  carted 


276  THE    WONDERFUL    EGG. 

him  out  of  town.  Being  a  man  of  determined  spirit,  he 
refused  to  keep  out.  He  shortly  returned  on  horse- 
back. He  was  ordered  off,  but  obstinately  refused 
to  go.  The  people  being  highly  incensed  at  what 
they  regarded  as  stubbornness,  tied  him  on  his  horse 
and  conducted  him  off.  He  resisted  with  so  much 
energy  as  to  be  considerably  injured.  The  crowd 
finally  procured  a  cart,  in  which  they  conveyed  liim 
some  distance  beyond  the  town. 

During  this  year,  the  British  general,  Howe,  was 
engaged  in  military  operations  to  reduce  the  Ameri- 
cans to  submission.  A  harmless  trick  was  resorted 
to  in  Plymouth,  perhaps  by  a  tory,  by  which  public 
excitement  was  increased.  An  egg  was  discovered, 
on  the  shell  of  which  could  be  plainly  read,  "  O 
America,  America  !  Howe  shall  be  thy  conqueror." 
It  was  taken  from  the  nest,  and  exhibited  to  the 
people  when  assembled  for  public  worship.  So  great 
was  the  agitation  which  it  occasioned,  that  for  some 
time  the  meeting  was  suspended.  The  tories  pre- 
tended to  believe  it  was  a  supernatural  revelation. 
They  construed  it  as  an  omen  favorable  to  their 
cause.  Some  of  the  opposite  party  were  also 
inclined  to  the  same  opinion,  as  they  knew  not  how 
to  account  for  it  in  any  other  way.  But  one  less 
credulous  than  the  rest  gave  to  the  matter  a  tinge 
of  the  ridiculous,  by  observing  that  it  was  absurd  to 
«uppose  that  the  Almighty  would  reveal  his  decrees 


APPALLING    CATASTROPHE.  277 

to  man  through  the  medium  of  an  old  hen.  The 
affair  not  only  became  the  town  talk  and  a  nine 
days'  wonder,  but  was  also  the  subject  of  grave 
newspaper  comment,  and  the  alarm  which  it  pro- 
duced in  the  minds  of  the  timid  and  superstitious 
was  truly  surprising. 

In  the  month  of  December,  1778,  a  catastrophe  of 
a  most  appalling  nature  occurred  off  Plymouth  Har- 
bor. The  brig  General  Arnold,  carrying  twenty 
guns,  with  a  crew  of  one  hundred  and  five  souls, 
under  the  command  of  James  Magee,  of  Boston,  left 
that  port  on  the  24th,  on  a  cruise,  this  country  being 
then  engaged  in  war  with  Great  Britain.  Being 
destitute  of  a  pilot,  she  was  driven  upon  the  flats 
near  Plymouth.  She  soon  filled  with  water,  when 
the  order  was  given  to  cut  away  the  masts.  A* 
many  of  the  men  were  drunk,  it  was  difficult  to  keep 
them  in  a  state  of  subordination.  A  tremendous 
storm  came  on,  accompanied  with  snow  and  sleet. 
On  Saturday,  the  26th,  a  considerable  number  of  the 
men  died.  On  Sunday  morning  the  vessel  was  in  a 
fearfully  perilous  condition.  She  was  completely 
enshrouded  in  ice.  So  violent  were  the  wind  and 
the  raging  waves,  that  the  inhabitants  on  shore 
found  it  impossible  to  reach  her,  or  to  extend  the 
least  assistance.  The  horrors  of  their  situation  may 
be  inferred  from  what  was  found  to  be  their  condition 
the  next  day.  By  that  time  the  sea  had  so  far  sub- 
24 


278  SCENE    ON    A    WRECK. 

sided  that  she  could  be  visited.  "It  is  scarcely  pos- 
sible for  the  human  mind  to  conceive  of  a  more 
appalling  spectacle.  The  ship  was  sunk  ten  feet  in 
the  sand.  The  waves  had  been  for  about  thirty-six 
hours  sweeping  the  main  deck ;  the  men  had  crowded 
to  the  quarter  deck,  and  even  here  they  were  obliged 
to  pile  together  dead  bodies  to  make  room  for  the 
living.  Seventy  dead  bodies  frozen  into  all  imagina- 
ble postures,  were  strewn  over  the  deck  or  attached 
to  the  shrouds  and  the  spars  ;  about  thirty  exhibited 
signs  of  life,  but  were  unconscious  whether  in  life  or 
death.  The  bodies  remained  in  the  posture  in  which 
they  died,  the  features  dreadfully  distorted  ;  some 
were  erect,  some  bending  forward,  some  sitting  with 
the  head  resting  upon  the  knees,  and  some  with  both 
arms  extended,  clinging  to  spars  or  some  parts  of  the 
vessel.  The  few  survivors  and  the  dead  bodies  were 
brought  over  the  ice  on  sleds  and  boards,  and  the 
dead  were  piled  on  the  floor  of  the  court  house,  ex- 
hibiting a  scene  calculated  to  impress  even  the  most 
callous  heart  with  deep  humility  and  sorrow.  It  has 
been  said  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Robbins  fainted  when 
called  to  perform  the  religious  solemnities.  Those 
bodies  that  were  to  be  deposited  in  coffins  were  first 
put  into  the  town  brook  ;  a  considerable  number 
were  seen  floating  on  the  water,  fastened  by  ropes, 
that  their  form  might  be  made  to  conform  to  the 
coffin.  But  about  sixty  were  thrown  into  a  large 


EFFECTS    OF    ABSTAINING    FROM    LIQUOR.        279 

pit  as  they  were  taken  from  the  vessel.  This  pit  i:s 
in  a  hollow  on  the  south-west  side  of  the  burial 
ground,  and  remains  without  a  stone.  The  greater 
part  of  those  who  were  found  alive  expired  soon 
after."  The  captain  survived.  He  drank  no  spirits, 
but  poured  it  freely  into  his  boots.  Almost  all  those 
who  drank  liquor  perished,  "  several  being  found 
dead  in  the  very  spot  where  they  drank  it."  What 
a  powerful  argument  is  this  in  favor  of  total  absti- 
nence !  This  mournful  catastrophe,  without  doubt, 
was  made  the  subject  of  Sabbath  discourse,  and  we 
can  imagine  what  must  have  been  the  solemnity  and 
impressiveness  of  the  service. 

We  have  not  in  the  preceding  pages  given  any  in- 
formation  as  to  the  increase  of  Plymouth  at  different 
periods.  Tliis  omission  will  now  be  supplied.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  one  hundred  came  over  in 
the  Mayflower,  in  1620,  of  whom  one  half  died 
during  the  first  winter.  In  1624,  there  were  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  ;  in  1629,  three  hundred.  In  1631, 
there  were  between  four  and  five  hundred.  In  1643, 
the  males  from  sixteen  to  sixty  years  of  age  were 
one  hundred  and  forty-six.  In  1646,  the  number  of 
voters,  seventy-nine.  Four  years  afterwards  it  was 
only  fifty-one.  In  1683,  the  voters  numbered  fifty-five, 
and  in  1689  they  amounted  to  seventy-five.  Leaping 
over  a  century,  we  find  in  1764  the  whole  number 
of  inhabitants,  including  seventy-seven  colored  per- 


1280  NUMBER    OF    INHABITANTS. 

sons  and  forty-eight  Indians,  was  two  thousand  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five.  In  1776,  the  year  of  the 
declaration  of  independence,  they  numbered  two 
thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty-five.  In  1783,  at  the 
termination  of  the  revolutionary  war,  there  were 
only  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  eighty ;  in 
1800,  three  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty-four ; 
in  1820,  four  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-eight ; 
in  1840,  five  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty-one. 


• 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

"  How  could  my  tongue 
Take  pleasure  and  be  lavish  in  their  praise  ? 
How  could  I  speak  their  nobleness  of  nature, 
Their  open,  manly  heart,  their  courage,  constancy, 
And  inborn  truth,  unknowing  to  dissemble  ? 
They  are  the  men  in  whom  my  soul  delights, 
In  whom,  next  Heaven,  I  trust." — Rowz. 

Attachment  to  the  Scriptures.  —  Reason  of  Puritanic  Singularities. 
—  Precise  in  their  Manners.  —  Their  Ministers  of  equal  Au- 
thority. —  Their  Government  republican. — Their  Self-reliance 
and  divine  Dependence.  —  Were  not  vindictive.  —  Did  not  come 
here  to  establish  universal  Toleration.  —  Their  Object  was  Lib- 
erty for  themselves.  —  This  the  Origin  of  their  Opposition  to 
other  Sects.  —  The  prospective  Influence  of  their  Principles. 

HAVING  now  given  an  account  of  some  of  the 
most  important  events  which  have  occurred  in  the 
history  of  Plymouth  since  its  first  settlement,  we 
cannot,  perhaps,  more  appropriately  close  the  subject 
than  with  a  brief  sketch  of  the  character  and  princi- 
ples of  the  Puritans. 

One  of  their  most  prominent  traits  was  a  con- 
scientious adherence  to  what  they  believed  were  the 
teachings  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures.  To  them  the 
authority  of  God  was  all  and  in  alt.  Believing  as 
they  did  that  the  Bible  was  his  revealed  will,  they 
made  that  their  exclusive  guide  in  matters  of  faith 
and  practice.  Creeds,  characters,  and  customs  were 
all  tried  by  this  unfailing  test,  and  all  was  rejected 
24* 


282  REVERENCE    FOR   THE    BIBLE. 

which,  in  their  opinion,  did  not  stand  this  ordeal. 
Laws  and  regulations  adopted  by  them,  which,  at 
the  present  day,  are  stigmatized  as  singularities,  were, 
in  many  instances,  the  legitimate  fruits  of  their  strict 
adherence  to  the  teachings  of  the  Bible.  The  pecu- 
liarities of  some  of  their  forms  of  legislation  were 
occasioned  by  their  imitation  of  ancient  Jewish  cus- 
toms. Thus,  in  New  Haven  the  members  of  the 
constituent  committee  were  called  the  "  seven  pillars 
hewn  out  of  the  house  of  Wisdom,"  and  Rhode  Island 
performed  for  one  or  two  years  a  "Jewish  mas- 
querade." Their  language  was  quaint,  because  in- 
terlarded with  the  phraseology  of  Scripture.  They 
disapproved  of  wigs,  veils,  and  long  hair.  They  were 
equally  opposed  to  immodest  and  extravagant  ap- 
parel, because  both  were  alike  at  variance  with  the 
simplicity  and  purity  inculcated  by  the  Bible.  They 
were  precise  in  their  manners,  because,  as  one  of 
them  said,  they  had  "  a  precise  God  to  deal  with." 
They  repudiated  crosses  and  beads,  surplice  and 
prayer  books.  To  their  minds,  these  were  too  inti- 
mately allied  to  Rome.  They  denied  the  superi- 
ority of  the  bishops  over  other  orders  of  ordained 
ministers.  With  them,  all  the  ministry  occupied  the 
same  official  platform  — they  were  all  bishops,  pos- 
sessing equal  official  privileges  and  powers.  They 
maintained  that  the  church  was  independent  of  the 
ministry ;  that  every  church  possessed  the  right  of 


PURITANS    NOT  VINDICTIVE.  283 

electing  its  own  pastor ;  that  no  power  out  of  them- 
selves, whether  king  or  archbishop,  had  any  right  to 
impose  upon  them  a  minister,  contrary  to  their 
wishes.  In  ecclesiastical  and  civil  government  they 
were  republican  —  the  majority  ruled. 

Although  they  cherished  strong  confidence  in  God, 
and  acknowledged  his  hand  in  all  the  events  of 
providence,  they  did  not  dispense  with  self-reliance. 
They  were  Calvinists,  but  not  fatalists.  They  be- 
lieved that  as  men  have  purposes,  so  has  God ;  that 
these  purposes  result  from  his  infinite  wisdom  and 
goodness,  and  will  inevitably  be  accomplished,  with- 
out the  least  interference  with  the  free  agency  of 
man.  They  cultivated  confidence  in  God  in  con- 
junction with  self-dependence.  Their  works  went 
with  their  faith,  and  were  the  fruits  of  it.  Crom- 
well developed  the  union  of  these  apparently  con- 
flicting principles,  when,  in  making  an  attack  in  a 
rainy  day,  he  said  to  his  soldiers,  "  Trust  in  God  and 
keep  your  powder  dry ;  "  and  when  on  another  occa- 
sion he  said,  "  He  that  prays  best  and  preaches  best, 
will  fight  the  best." 

The  Puritans  were  not  vindictive.  We  know 
there  are  those  who  deny  this,  and  who  assert  that 
they  were  governed  by  "a  bigoted  despotism,  with 
which  they  domineered  over  all  who  departed  from 
their  stern  creed,  and  who  would  not  consent  to 
stand  day  and  night  in  the  strait  jacket  in  which  they 


284 


PURITANS    MISREPRESENTED. 


enveloped  alike  the  feeble  and  the  strong."  We 
are  aware  that  it  has  been  said,  "  the  tyranny  with 
which  they  were  oppressed  in  England  was  light  in 
comparison  to  the  relentless  and  unsated  animosity 
with  which  they  pursued  the  Quakers,  the  most 
harmless  and  kindest  sect  the  world  ever  saw."  It 
is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with  indiscriminate,  whole- 
sale denunciations  of  this  character.  From  some 
representations  which  have  been  given,  it  would  be 
easy  to  infer  that  the  Puritans  were  a  most  bigoted, 
tyrannical,  superstitious,  revengeful,  and  persecuting 
sect ;  that  their  excellences  have  been  altogether 
overrated,  and  their  memories  too  highly  honored. 
With  all  this  we  have  no  sympathy.  It  is  our  firm 
conviction,  that  the  more  their  principles  are  under- 
stood and  their  characters  known,  the  more  they 
will  be  admired.  That  they  had  their  imperfections, 
is  not  denied.  That  a  number  of  their  particular 
measures,  such  as  their  selling  captured  Indians  into 
slavery,  their  barbarous  practice  of  beheading,  quar- 
tering, and  exposing  portions  of  the  bodies  of  their 
enemies,  their  persecutions  of  the  Quakers,  Baptists, 
and  others,  and  their  cruel  treatment  of  reputed 
witches,  should  be  strongly  condemned,  is  also  ad- 
mitted. These  are  dark  shadows  in  their  history, 
the  existence  of  which  cannot  be  too  deeply  regret- 
ted. But  we  should  remember  that  they  lived  in  a 
darker  period  than  the  present ;  that  what  public 


PERSECUTION    OF   OTHER    SECTS.  285 

opinion  now  condemns,  public  opinion  then  ap- 
proved ;  that  their  conduct  was  in  harmony  with  the 
spirit  of  their  age. 

Their  persecutions  of  the  Quakers,  the  Baptists, 
and  others  whom  they  termed  schismatics,  seemed 
to  them  to  be  demanded  by  the  necessity  of  the  case. 
In  respect  to  the  Quakers,  it  cannot  be  concealed 
that  they  gave  provocation.  The  Friends  of  the 
present  generation  are  not  guilty  of  the  practices  of 
those  who  lived  two  centuries  ago,  neither  do  they 
approve  them.  It  has  been  well  said,  that  "  if  the 
essential  guilt  of  persecution  would  be  aggravated 
when  aimed  against  the  quiet,  patient  philanthropist 
of  the  present  day,  it  does  not  therefore  follow  that 
it  would  be  attended  with  like  aggravation,  however 
wicked  else,  when  the  subject  was  the  mischievous 
madman  of  two  centuries  ago,  with  whom  the  Mas- 
sachusetts colonists  had  to  deal.  We  suppose  that 
the  duty  of  toleration,  comprehensive  though  it  be, 
stops  somewhere  short  of  allowing  men  and  women, 
for  conscience'  sake,  to  run  as  naked  as  they  were 
born  through  the  streets  and  into  the  churches ;  or, 
at  all  events,  that  it  does  not  require  the  permitting 
of  people  to  gain  a  name  like  Abraham's,  by  sacri- 
ficing their  own  sons,  as  one  of  the  Quakers  in  1658 
was  proceeding  to  do,  when  his  neighbors,  alarmed 
by  the  boy's  cries,  broke  into  the  house  in  time  to 
interfere." 


286  HOW     TO   EXAMINE    THEM. 

To  do  the  Puritans  justice,  we  should  examine 
their  conduct  from  their  stand  point ;  we  should  look 
at  it  through  their  eyes  and  with  their  heart.  If 
they  had  come  here  in  order  to  establish  a  govern- 
ment of  universal  religious  toleration,  to  provide  a 
peaceful  home  for  all  religious  sects,  then  their  per- 
secution of  others  would  have  been  at  direct  variance 
with  their  principles.  But  this  was  not  their  object. 
They  braved  a  winter's  voyage  across  the  Atlantic 
that  they  might  find  a  place  where  they  could  wor- 
sliip  God  according  to  their  own  conscience,  without 
molestation  from  others.  They  sought  liberty  for 
themselves,  not  for  the  world  ;  a  place  of  freedom 
where  they  could  serve  their  Maker,  and  train  up 
their  children  according  to  their  own  views  of  duty, 
without  the  embarrassment  of  an  arbitrary  govern- 
ment, or  of  opposing  sects.  When,  therefore,  other 
denominations  presented  themselves  within  their 
limits,  and  claimed  the  right  of  promulgating  senti- 
ments which  the  Puritans  regarded  as  unscriptural 
and  highly  dangerous,  they  were  prohibited.  "  We 
cannot  permit  it,"  said  the  Pilgrim  fathers.  "  The 
diffusion  of  such  sentiments  through  our  little  com- 
munity will  disturb  our  peace,  will  corrupt  the  purity 
of  our  faith,  will  engender  hatred  and  strife,  and  will 
imperil  the  [souls  of  our  children.  The  toleration 
of  such  sects  among  us  will  defeat  the  object  for 
which,  with  so  much  suffering  and  toil,  we  have 


PURITANS    CONSCIENTIOUS.  287 

come  to  America.  If  you  desire  liberty,  go  off  by 
yourselves,  and  form  an  independent  colony  as  we 
have  ;  but  come  not  within  our  borders,  to  be  snares 
to  our  feet  and  thorns  in  our  side."  But  when 
those  whom  they  deemed  heretics  refused  to  go, 
they  verily  thought  they  were  doing  God  service 
iu  punishing  them,  as  Saul  of  Tarsus  did,  when  per- 
secuting the  Christians  of  the  first  century.  To 
form  our  opinion  of  them  with  the  impression  on 
our  minds  that  they  possessed  all  the  light  upon  re- 
ligious freedom  which  we  enjoy,  is  to  treat  them 
unfairly.  The  great  doctrine  of  "  soul  liberty  " 
they  had  not  received,  although  it  was  proffered 
them  by  Roger  Williams,  and  therefore  our  con- 
demnation of  them  must  not  be  quite  so  severe  as 
if  they  had  embraced  it. 

Although  these  considerations  do  not  justify  the 
severities  of  the  Puritans  towards  other  sects,  they 
are  yet  worthy  of  examination,  when  forming  our 
opinion  of  their  character.  They  were  indus- 
trious, frugal,  self-denying,  and  persevering ;  they 
were  the  friends  of  education,  and  early  endowed 
schools  and  colleges.  They  were  sympathetic, 
benevolent,  and  affectionate.  They  endeavored  to 
make  the  will  of  God  their  rule  of  conduct,  and 
the  glory  of  God  the  great  end  of  life.  If  their 
descendants  are  sufficiently  wise  to  adopt  similar 
principles,  and  consistently  maintain  them  in  all  the 


288  EFFECT    OF    PURITAN    PRINCIPLES. 

relations  of  life,  the  institutions  which  they  have 
planted,  and  which  are  the  living  fountains  of  our 
prosperity,  will  continue  to  bless  our  country  till  the 
end  of  time. 

"  O,  never  may  they  rest  unsung, 
While  Liberty  can  find  a  tongue  ! 
Twine,  Gratitude,  a  wreath  for  them, 
More  deathless  than  the  diadem, 
Who  to  life's  noblest  end 

Gave  up  life's  noblest  powers, 
And  bade  the  legacy  descend 

Down,  down  to  us  and  ours.''  —  SPR AGUE 


CATALOGUE 

OF  VALUABLE  WORKS  PUBLISHED  BT 

GOULD     AND     LINCOLN, 

NO.   59,   WASHINGTON    STREET, 

BOSTON. 


Tni  attention  of  the  public  is  invited  to  an  examination  of  the  merits  of  th« 
works  described  in  this  Catalogue,  embracing  valuable  contributions  to  General 
Literature,  Science,  and  Theology. 

Besides  their  own  publications,  they  have  a  general  assortment  of  book)  la 
the  various  departments  of  literature,  and  can  supply  every  thing  in  their  lin« 
of  business  on  the  lowest  terms,  wholesale  and  retail. 

PRINCIPLES  OF  ZOOLOGY;  Touching  the  Structure,  Devel- 
opment, Distribution,  and  Natural  Arrangement  of  the  RACES 
OF  ANIMALS,  living  and  extinct,  with  numerous  illustrations. 
For  the  use  of  Schools  and  Colleges.  Part  I.,  COMPARATIVE 
PHYSIOLOGY.  By  Louis  AGASSIZ  and  AUGUSTUS  A.  GOULD. 

"  The  design  of  this  work  is  to  furnish  an  epitome  of  the  leading  principles 
of  the  science  of  Zoology,  as  deduced  from  toe  present  state  of  knowledge,  so 
Illustrated  as  to  be  intelligible  to  the  beginning  student  No  similar  treatise 
now  exists  in  this  country,  and  indeed,  some  of  the  topics  have  not  been 
touched  upon  in  the  language,  unless  in  a  strictly  technical  form,  and  ia 
scattered  articles." 

"  Being  designed  for  American  students,  the  illustrations  have  been  drawn, 
as  far  as  possible,  from  American  objects.  *  *  *  Popular  names  have  been 
employed  as  far  as  possible,  and  to  the  scientific  names  an  English  termination 
has  generally  been  given.  The  first  part  is  devoted  to  Comparative  Physiology, 
as  the  basis  of  Classification  ;  the  second,  to  Systematic  Zoology,  in  which  the 
principles  of  Classification  will  be  applied,  and  the  principal  groups  of  animals 
briefly  characterized."—  Extracts  from  the  Preface. 

MODERN  FRENCH  LITERATURE ;  By  L.  RAYMOND  DK 
VERICOUR,  formerly  lecturer  in  the  Royal  Athenseum  of  Paris, 
member  of  the  Institute  of  France,  &c.  American  edition, 
brought  down  to  the  present  day,  and  revised  with  notes  by 
WILLIAM  S.  CHASE.  With  a  fine  portrait  of  LAMAKTINE. 

***This  Treatise  has  received  the  highest  praise  as  a  comprehensive  an4 
thorough  survey  of  the  various  departments  of  Modern  French  Literature.  - 
It  contains  biographical  and  critical  notes  of  all  the  prominent  names  in  Phi- 
losophy, Criticism,  History,  Romance,  Poetry,  and  the  Drama;  and  presents  p 
full  and  impartial  consideration  of  the  Political  Tendencies  of  France,  as  they 
may  be  traced  in  the  writings  of  authors  equally  conspicuous  as  Scholars  and 
as  Statesmen.  Mr.  Chase,  who  has  been  the  Parisian  correspondent  of  sevenu 
leading  periodicals  of  this  country,  is  well  qualified,  from  a  prolonged  resi- 
dence in  France,  his  familiarity  with  its  Literature,  and  by  a  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  many  of  these  authors,  to  introduce  the  work  of  De  Vericonr 
to  the  American  public. 

"  This  is  the  only  complete  treatise  of  the  kind  on  this  subject,  either  ir 
French  or  English,  and  has  received  the  highest  commendation.  Mr.  Chase  ia 
well  qualified  to  introduce  the  work  to  the  public.  The  book  cannot  fall  to  t>» 
both  useful  and  popular."  —  Sew  fork  Evening  Pott, 


RELIGIOUS     PROGRESS; 

DISCOURSES   ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OP  THE 
CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

BY  WILLIAM  E.  WILLIAMS,  D.  D. 

12nw.,  Cloth ;  price,  85  Cents. 


From  H.  J.  Ripley,  D.  D.,  Prof  of  Sacred  Rhetoric,  Sfc.,  Newton  7'heol.  IniL 

Strong  conceptions,  suggested  by  earnest  conviction,  arrest  the  reader's 
attention  in  this  volume,  no  less  than  the  author's  characteristic  beauty 
of  thought  and  language.  Historical  and  other  illustrations  of  senti- 
ments are  apt  and  abundant ;  every  page  almost  betraying  the  wide  com- 
prehension of  knowledge  which  distinguishes  the  author.  These  Dis- 
courses cannot  fail  to  make  the  heart  better,  while  they  inform  the  under- 
standing and  gratify  a  cultivated  taste. 

"  This  book  is  a  rare  phenomenon  in  these  days.  It  is  a  ricli  exposition 
of  Scripture,  with  a  fund  of  practical,  religious  wisdom,  conveyed  in  a 
style  so  strong  and  so  massive,  as  to  remind  one  of  the  English  writers 
of  two  centuries  ago  ;  and  yet  it  abounds  in  fresh  illustrations  drawn 
from  every —  even  the  latest  opened  —  field  of  science  and  of  literature." 
—  Methodist  Quarterly. 

"  His  power  of  apt  and  forcible  illustration  is  almost  without  a  parallel 
among  recent  writers.  The  mute  page  springs  into  life  beneath  the  magic 
of  his  radiant  imagination.  But  this  is  never  at  the  expense  of  solidity  of 
thought  or  strength  of  argument.  It  is  seldom  indeed  that  a  mind  of  so 
much  poetical  invention  yields  such  a  willing  homage  to  the  logical  ele- 
ment. He  employs  his  brilliant  fancies  for  the  elucidation  and  ornament 
ef  truth,  but  never  for  its  discovery."  —  Harpers'  Monthly  Miscellany. 

"  With  warm  and  glowing  language,  Dr.  Williams  exhibits  and  en- 
forces this  truth,  every  page  radiant  with  'thoughts  that  burn,'  and  leave 
their  indelible  impression  upon  the  candid  and  intelligent  mind." — JV. 
T.  Com.  Advertiser. 

"  The  strength  and  compactness  of  argumentation,  the  correctness  and 
beauty  of  style,  and  the  importance  of  the  animating  idea  of  the  dis- 
courses, are  worthy  of  the  high  reputation  of  Dr.  Williams,  and  place 
them  among  the  most  finished  homiletic  productions  of  the  day.  We 
could  wish  their  judicious  thoughts  and  animated  periods  might  secure 
the  study  of  every  Christian."  —  JV.  Y.  Evangelist. 

"  This  work  is  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the  brightest  lights  of  the 
American  pulpit.  We  scarcely  know  of  any  living  writer  who  has  a 
finer  command  of  powerful  thought  and  glowing,  impressive  language, 
than  he.  The  present  volume  will  advance,  if  possible,  the  reputation 
which  his  previous  works  have  acquired  for  him." — Jilbany  Evening 
Mas. 

"  Dr.  Williams  has  no  superior  among  American  divines,  in  profound 
and  exact  learning,  and  brilliancy  of  style.  He  seoms  familiar  with  the 
literature  of  the  world,  and  lays  his  vast  resources  under  contribution  to 
illustrate  and  adorn  every  theme  which  he  investigates.  We  wish  the 
volume  could  be  placed  in  every  religious  family  in  the  country."  — 
Phila.  Chr.  Chronicle. 

We  venture  to  predict  that  this  work  will  take  its  place  at  once  among 
the  classics  of  American  literature."  — JV".  Y.  Recorder. 

"  These  sermons  are  certainly  able  and  eloquent  productions ;  a 
valuable  contribution  to  those  efforts  which  are  making,  in  various  di- 
rections, to  prevent  the  self-sufficiency  of  the  nineteenth  century  front 
forgetting  its  allegiance  to  God  and  his  Christ,  and  to  wake  up  the  true 
church  to  the  duty,  even  as  it  has  the  power,  to  extend  over  the  world 
its  spiritual  government"  —  JV.  Y.  Chr.  Inquirer. 


LIFE  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  OP  JOHN  FOSTER, 

AUTHOR  OF  "DECISION  OF  CHARACTEH,"  "  »S»ATS,"  *c. 

BY    J.     E.    RYLAND. 

With  Notices  of  Mr.  Foster  as  a  Preacher  and  a  Companion,  by 

JOHW  SHEPARD,  author  of  "  Thoughts  on  Devotion,"  &c 

Two  Vote,  in  one.    714  pp.,  12rao,  cloth,  $1,25 


British  Review. 

"  It  is  with  no  ordinary  expectations  and  gratification  and  delight  that 
we  have  taken  up  the  Biography  and  Correspondence  of  the  author  of  the 
'  Essays  on  Decision  of  Character,'  &c.  The  memoir  of  such  a  man  as 
John  Foster  must,  of  necessity,  possess  very  peculiar  attractions. 

"  We  are  glad  to  find  ourselves  in  possession  of  so  much  additional 
matter  from  the  well-nigh  inspired  pen  of  this  great  master  in  English 
composition."  —  Christian  Review. 

"  A  book  rich  in  every  way  —  in  good  sense,  vivacity,  suggestiveness, 
liberality,  and  piety."  —  Mirror. 

"  The  letters  which  principally  compose  this  volume  bear  strongly  the 
impress  of  his  own  original  mind,  and  are  often  characterized  by  a  depth 
and  power  of  thought  rarely  met  with  even  in  professedly  elaborate  dis- 
quisitions." —  Albany  Argus. 

"  This  work,  from  the  character  of  its  subject,  must  constitute  the 
choice  book  of  the  season,  in  the  department  of  correspondence  and 
biography.  We  all  wish  to  know  what  he  was  as  a  friend,  a  husband  a 
father,  and  as  a  practical  exponent  of  what  is  enshrined  in  the  immortal 
productions  of  his  pen.  All  who  appreciate  the  subject  of  which  these 
volumes  treat  will  rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  adding  this  treasure  t» 
their  libraries."  —  Watchman  $  Reflector. 

"  John  Foster  was  one  of  the  strongest  writers  of  his  age." —  Christie* 
Register. 

"  In  this  large  volume,  of  over  700  pages,  the  publishers  have  pre 
ented  the  reading  public  with  the  memoir  and  correspondence  of  one  of 


nine  relations  ami  every-day  scenes  or  private  lite." —  Christian  uoserver. 

"  Though  a  great,  Mr.  Foster  was  not  a  voluminous,  writer.  Few  men 
ever  wrote  with  more  care  or  more  thoroughly  elaborated  their  worka 
than  lie."  —  Western  Literary  Messenger. 

"  John  Foster  was  an  extraordinary  man.  The  life  and  correspondence 
of  one  who  possessed  the  masterly  powers  of  Mr.  Foster  must  have  much 
in  them  to  instruct  and  improve  all  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  have  the 
volume  that  embraces  them.  —  Christian  Witness. 

"John  Foster  was  one  of  the  greatest  thinkers,  and  most  vigorous  and 
impressive  writers  of  the  present  day.  We  are  glad  to  see  this  work 
placed  in  the  reach  of  all,  at  a  very  reasonable  price.'  —  Christian  Herald 


WAYLANFS    UNIVERSITY    SERMONS. 

SERMONS    DELIVERED    IN    BROWN   UNIVERSITY. 

BY  FRANCIS   WAYLAND,  D.   D. 

Second  Edition.     12mo.     Price,  $1  00. 


"  Few  sermons  contain  so  much  carefully  arranged  thought  as  these  by 
Dr-  Waylaud.  The  thorough  logician  in  apparent  throughout  the  volume, 
and  there  is  a  classic  purity  in  the  diction  unsurpassed  by  any  writer,  and 
equalled  by  very  few."  —  JVeio  York  Commercial  .Advertiser. 

"  They  are  the  careful  production  of  a  matured  and  powerful  intellect, 
and  were  addressed  to  a  thinking  and  well-informed  audience,  and  are 
especially  adapted  for  the  educated  and  thoughtful  man." —  Chr.  Jllliance 

•'  No  thinking  man  can  open  to  any  portion  of  it  without  finding  his 
attention  strongly  arrested,  and  feeling  inclined  to  yield  his  assent  to  those 
fell-evincing  statemeuts  which  appear  on  every  page.  As  a  writer,  Dr. 
Wayland  is  distinguished  by  simplicity,  strength,  and  comprehensiveness. 
Headdresses  himself  directly  to  the  intellect  more  than  to  the  imagination  ; 
to  the  conscience  more  than  to  the  passions.  Yet,  through  the  intellect 
and  the  conscience,  he  often  reaches  the  depths  of  our  emotive  nature,  and 
rouses  it  by  words  of  power.  Wo  commend  these  sermons  to  all  students 
of  moral  and  religious  truth,  to  all  lovers  of  sound  thought  conveyed  in 
olngant  diction."  —  Watchman  4"  Reflector. 

"  The  discourses  are  characterized  by  all  thai  richness  of  thought  and 
elegance  of  language  for  which  their  talented  author  is  celebrated.  The 
whole  volume  is  well  worthy  of  the  pen  of  the  distinguished  scholar  and 
(iivine  from  whom  it  emanates."  —  Dr.  Baird's  Christian  Union. 


SACRED    RHETORIC: 

Or  Composition  and  Delivery  of  Sermons. 

BT  HKWRT  J.  RIPLET,  Professor  in  Newton  Theological  Institution. 

Including  Ware's  Hints  on  Extemporaneous  Preaching. 

12mo.     Price,  75  cents. 


"  An  admirably  prepared  work,  clear  and  succinct  in  its  positions  and 
recommendations,  soundly  based  on  good  authority,  and  well  supported  by 
a  variety  of  reading  and  illustrations.  It  is  well  adapted  for  a  healthy  dis- 
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panion lo  Wliately,  in  the  general  study  of  Rhetoric."  —  JV.  Y.  Literary 
H'vrlil. 

"  Prof.  Ripley  possesses  the  highest  qualifications  for  a  work  of  this  kind, 
Hi«  position  has  given  him  great  experience  in  the  peculiar  wants  of  theo- 
logical students."  —  Providence  Journal. 

"  This  work  belongs  among  the  substantial  of  our  literature.  It  is  man- 
ifestly the  fruit  of  mature  thought  and  large  observation  ;  it  is  pervaded  by 
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tnd  admirably  arranged,  both  for  study  and  reference.  It  will  become  a 
text-book  for  theological  students  ;  it  deserves  to  be  read  by  all  ministers 
»vho  eon  avail  themselves  of  it.  and  especially  by  all  young  ministers."  — 
.V.  r.  Recorder 


VALUABLE  SCIENTIFIC  WORKS 

PUBLISHED     BY 

GOULD  AND  LINCOLN,  59  WASHINGTON  ST.,  BOSTON 

LAKE    SUPERIOR, 

ITS    PHYSICAL     CHARACTER,    VEGETATION,    AND    ANIMALS,    COJ^ 
PARED    WITH    OTHER    AND    SIMILAR    REGIONS, 

BY    L.    AGASSIZ. 

WITH   A    NARRATIVE    OF   THE   EXPEDITION   AND    ILLUSTRATIONS, 

BY  J.   E.   CABOT. 

One  Volume,  octavo.     Cloth,  price  $3,50. 

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As  it  is  not  intended  merely  for  the  scientific  man,  but  to  meet  the 
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articles  should  be  brief  and  intelligible  to  all.  The  editors  have  received 
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gentlemen. 


EOOT-PRINTS  OF  THE   CREATOR; 

OR,   THE   ASTEROLEPIS  OF  STROMNESS. 
BY    HUGH    MILLER. 

WITH    MANY     ILLUSTRATION,     FROM    THIRD     LONDON     EDITION. 

WITH    A   MEMOIR    OF   THE   AUTHOR    BY   LOUIS   AGASSIZ. 
12mo.,  cloth  ;  price,  $1,25. 

"The  'Foot-prints'  is  not  surpassed  by  any  modern  work."  —  JVerOk 
British  Review. 


direct  in  application,  —  these  qualities  combine  to  render  the '  Foot-prints ' 
one  of  the  most  perfect  refutations  of  error,  and  defences  of  truth,  that 
ever  exact  science  has  produced."  —  Free  Church  Magazine. 
"  DR.  BUCKLAND,  at  a  meeting  of  the  British  Association,  said  he  had 


"  The  style  of  this  work  ia  most  singularly  clear  and  vivid,  rising  at 
times  to  eloquence,  and  always  impressing  the  reader  with  the  idea  that 
he  is  brought  in  contact  with  great  thoughts.  Where  it  is  necessary, 
there  are  engravings  to  illustrate  the  geological  remains.  The  whole 
work  forms  one  of  the  best  defences  of  Truth  that  science  can  produce." 
—  Albany  State  Register. 

"  The  '  Foot-prints  of  the  Creator'  is  not  only  a  good  but  a  great  book. 
All  who  have  read  the  '  Vestiges  of  Creation  '  should  study  the  '  Foot- 
prints of  the  Creator.'  This  volume  is  especially  worthy  the  attention  of 
those  who  are  so  fearful  of  the  sceptical  tendencies  of  natural  science^ 
We  eipect  this  volume  will  meet  with  a  very  extensive  sale.  It  should 
be  placed  in  every  Sabbath  school  library,  and  at  every  Christian  fire 
•iile."  —  Boston  Traveller. 

"  Mr.  Miller's  style  is  remarkably  pleasing  ;  his  mode  of  popularizing 
geological  knowledge  unsurpassed,  perhaps  unequalled  ;  and  the  deep 
vein  of  reverence  for  divine  revelation  pervading  all,  adds  interest  and 
value  to  the  volume."  — JV.  Y.  Com.  Advertiser. 


more."  —  Puritan  Recorder. 

"  We  have  never  read  a  work  of  the  kind  with  so  much  interest.  Its 
•tatements  of  fact  and  its  descriptions  are  remarkably  clear.  From  mV 
nutfi  particulars  it  leads  us  on  to  broad  views  of  the  creation  ;  and  the 
earth  becomes  the  witness  of  a  succession  of  miracles,  as  wonderful  as 
any  recorded  in  the  Scriptures." —  Christian  Register. 

"  This  splendid  work  should  be  read  by  every  man  in  our  land.  We 
recommend  the  study  of  this  science  to  our  young  men :  let  them  ap- 
proach it  with  open,  and  not  unfaithful  breasts,  —  for  amid  our  mountains, 
gratia  and  tall,  our  boundless  plains,  and  flowing  rivers,  vast  and  virgin 
fields  for  eiploration  yet  present  themselves."  —  Scientific  American. 


THE    OLD    RED    SANDSTONE; 

OR,    NEW    WALKS    IN    AN    OLD    FIELD. 
BY   HUGH   MILLER. 

FROM     THE     FOURTH    LONDON     EDITION — ILLUSTRATED. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1,25. 


A  writer,  in  noticing  Mr.  Miller's  "  First  Impressions  of  England  and 
the  People,"  in  the  JVeio  Englander,  of  May,  185U,  commences  by  saying, 
"  We  presume  it  is  not  necessary  formally  to  introduce  Hugh  Miller  to 
our  readers  ;  the  author  of  '  The  Old  Red  Sandstone  '  placed  himself,  by 
that  production,  which  was  first,  among  the  most  successful  geologists 
and  the  best  writers  of  the  age.  We  well  remember  with  what  mingled 
emotion  and  delight  we  first  read  that  work.  Rarely  has  a  more  re- 
markable book  come  from  the  press.  *  *  For,  besides  the  important 
contributions  which  it  makes  to  the  science  of  Geology,  it  is  written  in  a 
style  which  places  the  author  at  once  among  the  most  accomplished 
writers  of  the  age.  *  *  He  proves  himself  to  be  in  prose  what  Burns 
has  been  in  poetry.  We  are  not  extravagant  in  saying  that  there  is  no 
geologist  Hying  who,  in  the  descriptions  of  the  phenomena  of  the  science, 
has  united  such  accuracy  of  statement  with  so  much  poetic  beauty  of 
expression.  We  do  not  hesitate  to  place  Mr.  Miller  in  the  front  rank 
of  English  prose  writers.  His  style  has  a  classic  purity  and  elegance, 
which  remind  one  of  Goldsmith  and  Irving,  while  there  is  an  ease  and  a 
naturalness  in  the  illustrations  of  the  imagination,  which  belong  only  to 
men  of  true  genius." 

A  writer  in  the  American  Traveller,  in  noticing  the  work,  says,— 

"  The  admirer  of  scenery,  of  all  that  is  picturesque  in  nature,  cannot 
fail  to  be  delighted  with  his  graphic  delineations.  Above  all,  the  good 
citizen,  the  religious  man,  will  read  this  highly  interesting  volume  with 
no  ordinary  satisfaction." 

"  The  excellent  and  lively  work  of  our  meritorious,  self-taught  country- 
man, Mr.  Miller,  is  as  admirable  for  the  clearness  of  its  descriptions,  and 
the  sweetness  of  its  composition,  as  for  the  purify  and  gracefulnes  which 
pervade  it."  —  Edinburgh  Review. 

"  This  admirable  work  evinces  talent  of  the  highest  order,  a  deep  and 
healthful  moral  feeling,  a  perfect  command  of  the  finest  language,  and  a 
beautiful  union  of  philosophy  and  poetry.  No  geologist  can  peruse  this 
volume  without  instruction  and  delight."  —  SUliman's  American  Journal 
of  Science. 

"Mr.  Miller's  exceedingly  interesting  book  on  this  formation  is  just 
the  sort  of  work  to  render  any  subject  popular.  It  is  written  in  a  remark- 
ably pleasing  style,  and  contains  a  wonderful  amount  of  information."  — 
Westminster  Review. 

"  In  Mr.  Miller's  charming  little  work  will  be  found  a  very  graphic  de- 
scription of  the  Old  Red  Fishes.  I  know  not  of  a  more  fascinating  volume 
on  any  branch  of  British  geology."  —  MantelTs  Medals  of  Creation. 

"  Mr.  Miller  had  elevated  himself  to  a  position  which  any  man,  in  any 
sphere  of  life,  might  well  envy  He  had  seen  some  of  his  papers  on 
geology,  written  in  a  style  so  beautiful  and  poetical  as  to  throw  plain 
geologists,  like  himself,  in  the  shade."  —  Sir  Roderick  Murchi^on. 

"  A  geological  work,  small  in  size,  unpretending  in  spirit  and  manner: 
its  contents,  the  conscientious  narration  of  fact ;  its  style,  the  beautiful 
simplicity  of  truth  ;  and  altogether  possessing,  for  a  rational  reader,  an 
interest  superior  to  that  of  a  novel."  —  Dr.  J.  Pye  Smith, 


THE  POETRY  OF  SCIENCE; 

OR,  STUDIES  OF  THE  PHYSICAL  PHENOMENA  OF  NATURE 
BY    ROBERT    HUNT, 

AUTHOR    OF    "RESEARCHES    OR    LIGHT,"    4o. 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1,25. 


NOTICES    OF   THE    PRESS. 


"  The  design  of  Mr.  Hunt's  volume  is  striking  and  good.  The  subject 
is  very  well  dealt  with,  and  the  object  very  well  attained  ;  it  displays  a 
fund  of  knowledge,  and  is  the  work  of  an  eloquent  and  earnest  man."  — 
The  Examiner,  London, 

"  The  author,  while  adhering  to  true  science,  has  set  forth  its  truths 
in  an  exceedingly  captivating  style." — New  York  Commercial  Advertiser. 

"  We  are  heartily  glad  to  see  this  interesting  work  re-published  in 
America.  It  is  a  book  that  is  a  book."  —  Scientific  American. 

"  It  is  one  of  the  most  readable,  interesting,  and  instructive  works  of 
the  kind  that  we  have  ever  seen."  —  Philadelphia  Christian  Observer. 


NEW      REVISED      EDITIOK. 

PRINCIPLES    OF    ZOOLOGY, 

TOUCHING  THE    STRUCTURE,  DEVELOPMENT,   DISTRIBUTION,  AND    NATURAL 
ARRANGEMENT     OF    THE     RACES     OF    ANIMALS,    LIVING    AND    EX- 
TINCT J   WITH    NUMEROUS    ILLUSTRATIONS.     FOR   THE 
USE    OF    SCHOOLS   AND    COLLEGES. 

PART  I.  —  COMPARATIVE  PHYSIOLOGY. 

BY  L.  AGASSIZ  AND  A.  A.  GOULD. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  §1,00. 

"  This  book  places  us  in  possession  of  information  half  a  century  in  ad' 
yance  of  all  our  elementary  works  on  this  subject.  *  *  No  work  of 
the  same  dimensions  has  ever  appeared  in  the  English  language  contain- 
ing so  much  new  and  valuable  information  on  the  subject  of  which  it 
treats."  —  Prof.  James  Hall,  in  the  Albany  Journal. 

"  A  work  emanating  from  so  high  a  source  hardly  requires  commenda- 
tion to  give  it  currency.  The  volume  is  prepared  for  the  student  in  zoblogi- 
cal  science ;  it  is  simple  and  elementary  in  its  style,  full  in  its  illustra- 
tions, comprehensive  in  its  range,  yet  well  condensed,  and  brought  into 
the  narrow  compass  requisite  for  the  purpose  intended."  —  Silliman'i 
Journal. 

IN    PREPARATION, 

PART  II.  —  SYSTEMATIC  ZOOLOGY. 

IN  WHICH  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  CLASSIFICATION  ARE  APPLIED,  AND  THX 
PRINCIPAL  GROUPS  OF  ANIMALS  ARE  BRIEFLY  CHARACTERIZED.  WITH 
KUIIEROUS  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE    EARTH    AND    MAN: 

Lectures  on  Comparative  Physical  Geography,  in  its  Relation  to  the  History 

of  Mankind. 

BT  ARNOLD  GUTOT,  Prof.  Phys.  Geo.  and  Hist.,  Neuchatel. 

Translated  from  the  French  by  PROF.  C.  C.  FELTOW.     With  Illustration*. 

I2mo.     Price,  $1  25. 


"  The  work  is  one  of  high  merit,  exhibiting  a  wide  range  of  knowledge, 
great  research,  and  a  philosophical  spirit  of  investigation.  Its  perusal  will 
well  repay  tho  most  learned  in  such  subjects,  and  give  new  views  to  all  of 
man's  relation  to  the  globe  he  inhabits."  —  Sittiman's  Journal. 

•'  To  the  reader  we  shall  owe  no  apology,  if  we  have  said  enough  ta 
excite  his  curiosity,  and  to  persuade  him  to  look  to  the  book  itself  foi  fut- 
ther  instruction."  —  North  American  Review. 

"  The  grand  idea  of  the  work  is  happily  expressed  by  the  author,  where 
he  calls  it  the  geographical  march  nf  history.  *  *  *  The  man  of  science 
will  hail  it  as  a  beautiful  generalization  from  the  facts  of  observation.  The 
Christian,  who  trusts  in  a  merciful  Providence,  will  draw  courage  from  it, 
and  hope  yet  more  earnestly  for  the  redemption  of  the  most  degraded  por- 
tions of  mankind.  Faith,  science,  learning,  poetry,  taste,  in  a  word, 
genius,  have  liberally  contributed  to  the  production  of  the  work  under 
review.  Sometimes  we  feel  as  if  we  were  studying  a  treatise  on  the  exact 
sciences  ;  at  others,  it  strikes  the  ear  like  an  epic  poem.  Now  it  reads  like 
history,  and  now  it  sounds  like  prophecy.  It  will  find  readers  in  whatever 
language  it  may  be  published  ;  and  in  the  elegant  English  dress  which  it 
has  received  from  the  accomplished  pen  of  the  translator,  it  will  not  fail  to 
mterest,  instruct,  and  inspire."  —  Christian  Examiner. 

"  These  lectures  form  one  of  the  most  valuable  contributions  to  geogra- 
phical science  that  has  over  been  published  in  this  country.  They  invest 
\kt>  study  of  geography  with  an  interest  which  will,  we  doubt  not,  surprise 
and  delight  many.  They  will  open  an  entire  new  world  to  most  readers, 
and  will  be  found  an  invaluable  aid  to  the  teacher  and  student  of  geog- 
raphy."—  Evening  Traveller. 

"  We  venture  to  pronounce  this  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive books  which  have  come  from  the  American  press  for  many  a  month. 
The  science  of  which  it  treats,  is  comparatively  of  recent  origin  ;  but  it  is  of 
great  importance,  not  only  on  account  of  its  connections  with  other  branches 
of  knowledge,  but  for  its  bearing  upon  many  of  the  interests  of  society. 
It  abounds  with  the  richest  interest  and  instruction  to  every  intelligent 
reader,  and  is  especially  fitted  to  awaken  enthusiasm  and  delight  in  all  who 
are  devoted  to  the  study,  either  of  natural  science  or  the  history  of  man- 
kind." —  Providence  Journal. 

"  Geography  ia  here  presented  under  a  new  and  attractive  phase  ;  it  is  no 
longer  a  dry  dcsc'iption  of  the  features  of  the  earth's  surface.  The  influ- 
ence of  soil,  scenery,  and  climate  upon  character,  hns  not  yet  received  tho 
consideration  due  to  it  from  historians  and  philosophers.  In  the  volume 
before  us,  the  profound  investigations  of  Humboldt,  Ritter,  and  others,  in 
Physical  Geography,  are  presented  in  a  popular  form,  and  with  the  clear- 
ness and  vivacity  so  characteristic  of  French  treatisee  on  science.  Tha 
work  should  be  introduced  into  our  higher  schools."  —  The  Independent, 
.V,w  York. 

"  Geography  is  here  made  to  assume  a  dignity  not  heretofore  attached  to 
ft  The  knowledge  communicated  in  these  lecture*  is  curious,  unexpected, 
absorbing."  —  Christian  Jlfirrfr,  Portland. 


VALUABLE  SCHOOL  BOOKS. 


ELEMENTS  OF  MORAL  SCIENCE.  By  FRAKCIS  WAYLAND, 
D.D.  President  of  Brown  University,  and  Professor  of  Moral 
Philosophy.  Thirty-sixth  Thousand.  12mo.,  cloth.  Price 
$1.25. 

From  Eev.  Wilbur  Fisk,  President  of  the  Wesleyan  University. 
"  I  have  examined  it  with  great  satisfaction  and  interest.  The  work  wu 
greatly  needed,  and  is  well  executed.  Dr.  Wayland  deserves  the  grateful 
acknowledgments  and  liberal  patronage  of  the  public.  I  need  say  nothing 
further  to  express  my  high  estimate  of  the  work,  than  that  we  shall  immedi- 
ately adopt  it  as  a  text-book  in  our  university." 

From  Hon.  James  Kent,  late  Chancellor  of  New  York. 

"  The  work  has  been  read  by  me  attentively  and  thoroughly,  and  I  think 
very  highly  of  it  The  author  himself  is  one  of  the  most  estimable  of  men, 
and  I  do  not  know  of  any  ethical  treatise,  in  which  our  duties  to  God  and  to 
our  fellow-men  are  laid  down  with  more  precision,  simplicity,  clearness, 
energy,  and  truth." 

"  The  work  of  Dr.  Wayland  has  arisen  gradually  from  the  necessity  of 
correcting  the  false  principles  and  fallacious  reasonings  of  Poley.  It  is  a 
radical  mistake,  in  the  education  of  youth,  to  permit  any  book  to  be  used 
by  students  as  a  text-book,  which  contains  erroneous  doctrines,  especially 
when  these  arc  fundamental,  and  tend  to  vitiate  the  whole  system  of  moral*. 
We  have  been  greatly  pleased  with  the  method  which  President  Wayland  hai 
adopted :  he  goes  back  to  the  simplest  and  mo«t  fundamental  principles ;  and, 
in  the  statement  of  his  views,  he  unites  perspicuity  with  conciseness  and 
precision.  In  all  the  author's  leading  fundamental  principles  we  entirely 
concur."  —  Biblical  Repository. 

MORAL  SCIENCE  ABRIDGED,  by  the  Author,  and  adapted  to 
/'.he  use  of  Schools  and  Academies.  Twenty-fifth  Thousand. 
ISmo.,  half  cloth.  Price  25  cents. 

The  more  effectually  la  meet  the  desire  eipreucd  fur  a  cheap  edition,  the  present 
edition  u  usuad  at  the  reduced  price  of  25  cents  per  copy,  anil  it  it  hoped  thereby  to 
extend  the  benefit  of  moral  instruction  to  all  the  youth  of  our  land.  Teachers  aud  all 
others  engaged  in  the  training  of  youtli,  are  invited  to  examine  this  work. 

"  Dr.  Wayland  has  published  an  abridgment  of  his  work,  fbr  the  use  of 
schools.  Of  this  step  we  can  hardly  speak  too  highly.  It  is  more  than  time 
that  the  study  of  moral  philosophy  should  be  introduced  into  all  our  institu- 
tions of  education.  We  are  happy  to  see  the  way  so  auspiciously  opened  for 
•tich  an  introduction.  It  has  been  not  merely  abridged,  but  also  re-teritten, 
We  cannot  but  regard  the  labor  u  well  bestowed."  —  North  American  Review. 

"We  speak  that  we  do  know,  when  we  express  our  high  estimate  of  Dr. 
Wavland's  ability  in  teaching  Moral  Philosophy,  whether  orally  or  by  the 
book.  Having  listened  to  his  instruction*,  in  this  interesting  department,  we 
can  attest  how  loftv  are  the  principles,  how  exact  and  severe  the  argumenta- 
tion, how  appropriate  and  strong  the  illustrations  which  characterize  hi* 
I/stem  and  enforce  it  on  the  mind."  —  The  Christian  Witness. 

"  The  work  of  which  this  volume  is  an  abridgment,  is  well  known  as  one  of 
the  best  and  most  complete  works  on  Moral  Philosophy  extant.  The  author 
is  well  known  its  one  of  the  most  profound  scholars  of  the  age.  That  the  study 
of  Moral  Science,  a  science  which  teaches  goodness,  should  be  a  branch  of 
education,  not  only  in  our  colleges,  but  in  our  schools  and  academies,  we 
believe  will  not  be  denied.  The  abridgment  of  this  work  seems  to  us  admi- 
rably calculated  for  the  purpose,  and  we  hop*  it  will  be  extensively  applied 
to  the  purposes  for  which  it  Is  Intended."  •  The  Mercantile  Journal. 


VALUABLE  SCHOOL  BOOKS. 


THE  ELEMENTS  OF  POLITICAL  ECONOMY.  By  FRANCIS 
WAYLAXD,  D.D.,  President  of  Brown  University.  "  Fifteenth 
Thousand.  12mo.,  cloth.  Price  $1.25. 

"  His  object  has  been  to  write  a  book,  which  any  one  who  chooses  may 
understand.  He  has,  therefore,  labored  to  express  the  general  principles  in 
the  plainest  manner  possible,  and  to  illustrate  them  by  cases  with  which 
every  person  is  familiar.  It  has  been  to  the  author  a  source  of  regret,  that  the 
course  of  discussion  in  the  following  pages,  has,  unavoidably,  led  him  over 
ground  which  has  frequently  been  the  arena  of  political  controversy.  In  all 
such  cases,  he  has  endeavored  to  state  what  seemed  to  him  to  be  truth, 
without  fear,  favor,  or  affection.  He  is  conscious  to  himself  of  no  bias  towards 
any  party  whatever,  and  he  thinks  that  he  who  will  read  the  whole  work,  will 
be  convinced  that  he  has  been  influenced  by  none."  —  Extract  from  Preface. 

POLITICAL  ECONOMY.  ABRIDGED,  by  the  Author,  and 
adapted  to  the  use  of  Schools  and  Academies.  Seventh 
Thousand.  18mo.,  half  morocco.  Price  50  cents. 

"  The  original  work  of  the  author,  on  Political  Economy,  has  already  been 
noticed  on  our  pages ;  and  the  present  abridgment  stands  in  no  need  of  a 
recommendation  from  us.  We  may  be  permitted,  however,  to  say,  that  both 
the  rising  and  risen  generations  are  deeply  indebted  to  Dr.  Way  laud,  for  the 
skill  and  power  he  has  put  forth  to  bring  a  highly  important  subject  distinctly 
before  them,  within  snch  narrow  limits.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  this  will  form 
a  class-book,  and  be  faithfully  studied  in  our  academics;  and  that  it  will 
find  its  way  into  every  family  library.  It  is  fitted  to  enlarge  the  mind, 
to  purify  the  judgment,  to  correct  erroneous  popular  impressions,  and  assist 
every  man  in  forming  opinions  of  public  measures,  which  will  abide  the  teat 
of  time  and  experience."  —  Boston  Recorder. 

"  We  rejoice  to  see  such  treatises  spreading  among  the  people ;  and  we  tirgc 
•11  who  would  be  intelligent  freemen,  to  read  them."  —  New  York  Transcript. 

"  It  is  well  adapted  to  high  schools,  and  embraces  the  soundest  system  of 
republican  political  economy  of  any  treatise  extant."  —Daily  Advocate, 

THOUGHTS  on  the  present  Collegiate  System  in  the  United 
States.  By  FRANCIS  WAYLAND,  D.D.  Price  50  cents. 


PALEY'S  NATURAL  THEOLOGY.  Illustrated  by  forty  plates., 
and  Selections  from  the  notes  of  Dr.  Paxton,  with  additional 
Notes,  original  and  selected,  for  this  edition ;  with  a  vocabu»- 
Ian-  of  Scientific  Terms.  Edited  by  JOHN  WARE,  M.D.  12moM 
sheep.  Price  $1.25. 

"The  work  before  us  is  one  which  deserves  rather  to  be  studied  than 
merely  read.  Indeed,  without  diligent  attention  and  study,  neither  the  excel- 
lences of  it  can  be  fully  discovered,  nor  its  advantages  realized.  It  is,  there- 
fore, gratifying  to  find  it  introduced,  as  a  text-book,  into  the  colleges  and 
literary  institutions  of  our  country.  The  edition  before  us  is  superior  to  any 
we  have  seen,  and,  we  believe,  superior  to  any  that  has  yet  been  published." 

Spirit  of  the  Pilgrim*. 

"  Perhaps  no  one  of  our  author's  works  gives  greater  satisfaction  to  all  classei 
of  readers,  the  young  and  the  old,  the  ignorant  and  the  enlightened.  Indeed, 
we  recollect  no  book  ;a  which  the  arguments  for  the  existence  and  attributes 
of  the  Supreme  Being  to  be  drawn  from  his  works,  are  exhibited  in  a 
more  attractive  and  more  convincing."  —  Christian  Examiner. 


VALUABLE  SCHOOL  BOOKS. 


BLAKE'S  FIRST  BOOK  IN  ASTRONONY.  Designed  for  the 
Use  of  Common  Schools.  By  J.  L.  BLAKE,  D.D.  Illustrated 
by  Steel  Plate  Engravings.  8vo.,  cloth  back.  Price  50  cents. 

from  E.  Einckley,  Prof,  of  Mathematics  in  Maryland  University. 

"  I  am  much  indebted  to  you  for  a  copy  of  the  First  Book  in  Astronomy. 
It  is  a  work  of  utility  and  merit,  far  superior  to  any  other  which  I  have  Been. 
The  author  has  selected  his  topics  with  great  judgment,  —  arranged  them  in 
admirable  order,  —  exhibited  them  in  a  style  and  manner  at  once  tasteful  and 
philosophical.  Nothing  seems  wanting,  —  nothing  redundant  It  is  truly  a 
very  beautiful  and  attractive  book,  calculated  to  afford  both  pleasure  and 
profit  to  all  who  may  enjoy  the  advantage  of  perusing  it" 

From  B.  Field,  Principal  of  the  Hancock  School,  Boston. 

"  I  know  of  no  other  work  on  Astronomy  so  well  calculated  to  interest 
and  instruct  young  learners  in  this  sublime  science." 

From  Isaac  Foster,  Instructor  of  Youth,  Portland. 

"  I  have  examined  Blake's  First  Book  in  Astronomy,  and  am  much  pleased 
with  it  A  very  happy  selection  of  topics  is  presented  in  a  manner  which 
cannot  fail  to  Interest  the  learner,  while  the  questions  will  assist  him  materi- 
ally in  fixing  in  the  memory  what  ought  to  be  retained.  It  leaves  the  most 
intricate  parts  of  the  subject  for  those  who  are  able  to  master  them,  and  brings 
before  the  young  pupil  only  what  can  be  made  intelligible  and  interesting 
to  him." 

"We  are  free  to  say, that  it  is,  in  our  opinion,  decidedly  the  best  work 
we  have  any  knowledge  of,  on  the  sublime  and  interesting  subject  of  Astron- 
omy. The  engravings  are  executed  in  a  superior  style,  and  the  mechanical 
appearance  of  the  book  is  extremely  prepossessing. — Evening  Gazette,  Boston. 

"  We  do  not  hesitate  to  recommend  it  to  the  notice  of  the  superintending 
committees,  teachers,  and  pupils  of  our  public  schools.  The  definitions  in  the 
first  part  of  the  volume  are  given  in  brief  and  dear  language,  adapted  to  the 
understanding  of  beginners."— State  Herald,  N.  H. 

BLAKE'S  NATURAL  PHILOSOPHY.  Being  Conversations  on 
Philosophy,  with  the  addition  of  Explanatory  Notes,  Questions 
for  Examination,  and  a  Dictionary  of  Philosophical  Terms. 
With  twenty-eight  steel  Engravings.  By  J.  L.  BLAKE,  D.D. 
12mo.,  sheep.  Price  67  cents. 

%*  Perhaps  no  work  has  contributed  so  much  as  this  to  excite  a  fondness 
for  the  study  of  Natural  Philosophy  in  youthful  minds.  The  familiar 
comparisons,  with  which  it  abounds,  awaken  interest,  and  rivet  the  attention 
at  the  pupil. 

from  Rev.  J.  Adams,  President  of  Charleston  College,  S.  C. 

"I  have  been  highly  gratified  with  the  perusal  of  your  edition  of  Con- 
versations on  Natural  Philosophy.  The  Questions,  Notes,  and  Explanation! 
of  Terms,  are  valuable  additions  to  the  work,  and  make  this  edition  superior 
to  any  other  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  I  shall  recommend  it  whereve» 
I  have  an  opportunity." 

"We  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  furnished  us  by  the  publication  of  a 
new  edition  of  this  deservedly  popular  work,  to  recommend  it,  not  only  to 
those  instructors  who  may  not  already  have  adopted  it,  but  also  generally  to 
all  readers  who  are  desirous  of  obtaining  information  on  the  subjects  on  which 
It  treats.  By  Questions  arranged  at  the  bottom  of  the  pages,  in  which  the 
collateral  facts  arc  arranged,  he  directs  the  attention  of  the  learner  to  the  prin- 
cipal topics.  Mr.  Blake  ha«  also  added  many  Notes,  which  illustrate  the 
rueagei  to  which  they  are  appended,  and  the  Dictionary  of  Philosophical 
Terms  if  a  useful  addition."  —  IT.  S.  Littraru  Gazette. 


\ALUABLE  SCHOOL  BOOKS. 


YOUNG  LADIES'  CLASS  BOOK.  A  Selection  of  Lessons  for 
Reading  in  Prose  and  Verse.  By  E.  BAILEY,  A.M.,  late 
Principal  of  the  Young  Ladies'  High  School,  Boston.  Stereo- 
typed Edition.  12mo.,  sheep.  Price  83K  cents. 

From  the  Principals  of  the  Public  Schools  for  Females,  Boston. 

"  GJSTLEMEX  :—  We  have  examined  the  Young  Ladies'  Class  Book  with 
interest  and  pleasure ;  with  interest,  because  we  have  felt  the  want  of  a  Read- 
ing Book  expressly  designed  for  the  use  of  females ;  and  with  pleasure,  be- 
cause we  have  found  it  well  adapted  to  supply  the  deficiency.  The  high-toned 
morality,  the  freedom  from  sectarianism,  the  taste,  richness,  and  adaptation, 
of  the  selections,  added  to  the  neatness  of  its  external  appearance,  must  com- 
mend it  to  all ;  while  the  practical  teacher  will  not  fail  to  observe  that  diversity 
of  style,  together  with  those  peculiar  points,  the  want  of  which,  few,  who  have 
not  felt,  know  how  to  supply. 

Respectfully  yours,  BARN-CM  FIELD,        AEBAHAM  AKDEKT*, 

R.  G.  PAKKJSB,         CHARLES  Fox." 

From  the  Principal  of  the  Mount  Vernon  School,  Boston. 

"  I  have  examined  with  much  interest  the  Young  Ladles'  Class  Book,  by 
Mr.  Bailey,  and  have  been  very  highly  pleased  with  its  contents.  It  is  my 
intention  to  introduce  it  into  my  own  school ;  as  I  regard  it  as  not  only  remark- 
ably well  fitted  to  answer  its  particular  object  as  a  book  of  exercises  in  the  art 
of  elocution,  but  as  calculated  to  have  an  influence  upon  the  character  and 
conduct,  which  will  be  in  every  respect  favorable."  —  JACOB  ABBOTT. 

"  We  were  never  so  (truck  with  the  importance  of  having  reading  book's 
for  female  schools,  adapted  particularly  to  that  express  purpose,  as  while 
looking  over  the  pages  of  this  selection.  The  eminent  success  of  the  com- 
piler in  teaching  this  branch,  to  which  we  can  personally  bear  testimony,  is 
•afficient  evidence  of  the  character  of  the  work."  -  Aitiiaii  of  Education. 

ROMAN  ANTIQUITIES  AND  ANCIENT  MYTHOLOGY.    By 

C.  K.  DILLAWAY,  A.M.,  late  Principal  in  the  Boston  Latin 
School.  With  Engravings.  Eighth  Ed.,  improved.  12mo^ 
naif  mor.  Price  67  cts. 

From  E.  Bailey,  Principal  of  the  Young  Ladies'  High  School,  Boston. 

"  Having  used  Dillaway's  Roman  Antiquities  and  Ancient  Mythology  in 
my  school  for  several  years,  I  commend  it  to  teachers  with  great  confidence, 
M  a  valuable  text-book  on  those  interesting  branches  of  education. 

E.  BAILET." 

"The  want  of  a  cheap  volume,  embracing  a  succinct  account  of  ancient 
customs,  together  with  a  view  of  classical  mythology,  has  long  been  felt. 
Mr.  Dillaway's  book  seems  to  have  been  prepared  with  special  reference  to 
the  wants  of  those  who  are  just  entering  upon  a  classical  career;  and  we 
deem  it  but  a  simple  act  of  justice  to  say,  that  it  supplies  the  want,  which, 
as  UTS  have  before  said,  has  long  been  felt.  A  peculiar  merit  of  this  compila- 
tion, and  one  which  will  gain  it  admission  into  our  highly  respectable  female 
seminaries,  is  the  total  absence  of  all  allusion,  even  the  most  remote,  to  the 
disgusting  obscenities  of  ancient  mythology;  while,  at  the  same  time,  nothing 
is  omitted  which  a  pure  mind  would  feel  interested  to  know.  We  recom- 
mend the  book  as  a  valuable  addition  to  the  treatises  in  our  schools  and 
academies."  —  Education,  Reporter,  Boston. 

"  It  was  re»erved  for  one  of  our  Boston  instructors  to  apply  the  condensing 
apparatus  to  this  mass  of  crudities,  and  so  to  modernize  the  antiquities  of  the 
old  Romans,  as  to  make  a  befitting  abridgment  for  schools  of  the  first  order. 
Mr.  Dillaway  has  presented  such  a  compilation  as  must  be  interesting  to  ladg, 
and  become  popular  as  a  text-book.  Historical  facts  are  stated  with  great  sim- 
plicity and  clearness ;  the  most  important  points  arc  seized  upon,  while  trifling 
peculiarities  are  passed  unnoticed."— Am.  Traveller. 


VALUABLE  SCHOOL  BOOKS. 


COMPARATIVE  PHYSICAL  GEOGRAPHY.  The  Earth 
and  Man.  Lectures  on  Comparative  Physical  Geography,  in 
its  relation  to  the  History  of  Mankind.  By  Arnold  Guyot. 
Translated  from  the  French  by  Prof.  C.  C.  FELTON.  With 
Illustrations.  Second  Thousand,  12mo.  Price,  $1  25. 

"Geography  is  here  presented  under  a  new  and  attractive  phase.  It 
fs  no  longer  a  dry  description  of  the  features  of  the  earth's  surface. 
The  influence  of  soil,  scenery,  and  climate  upon  character,  has  not  yet 
received  the  consideration  due  to  it  from  historians  and  philosophers.  In 
the  volume  before  us,  the  profound  investigations  of  Humboldt,  Hitter, 
and  others,  in  Physical  Geography,  are  presented  in  a  popular  form,  ans 
with  the  clearness  and  vivacity  so  characteristic  of  French  treatises  on 
icience.  The  work  should  be  introduced  into  our  higher  schools."  — 
Tlie  Independent,  JV.  T. 

"  These  lectures  form  one  of  the  most  valuable  contributions  to  geo- 
graphical science  that  has  ever  been  published  in  this  country.  They 
invest  the  study  of  geography  with  an  interest  which  will,  we  doubt  not, 
surprise  and  delight  many.  They  will  open  an  entire  new  world  to  most 
readers,  and  will  be  found  an  invaluable  aid  to  the  teacher  and  student 
of  geography."  —  Evening  Traveller. 

THE  CICERONIAN  ;  Or  the  Prussian  Method  of  Teaching  the 
Latin  Language.  Adapted  to  the  use  of  American  Schools,  by 
B.  SEAES.  18mo.,  half  mor.  Price  50  cents. 

From  the  Professors  of  Harvard  University. 

*  We  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  we  consider  this  book  a  very  valuable  addi- 
tion to  our  stock  of  elementary  works.  Its  great  merit  is,  that  it  renders  the 
elementary  instruction  in  Latin  less  mechanical,  by  constantly  calling  the 
reasoning  power  of  the  pupil  into  action,  and  gives,  from  the  beginning,  a 
deeper  insight  into  the  very  nature,  principles,  and  laws  not  only  of  the  Latin 
language,  but  of  language  in  general.  If  the  book  required  any  other 
recommendation  besides  that  of  being  the  work  of  so  thorough  and  experi- 
enced a  scholar  as  Dr.  Sears,  it  would  DC  this,  that  the  system  illustrated  in  it 
is  not  a  mere  theory,  but  has  been  practically  tested  by  many  able  instructors 
in  Germany.  We  wish  that  the  same  trial  may  be  mode  here. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  CHARLES  BECK, 

C.  C.  FELTOK." 

From  S.  H.  Taylor,  Principal  of  Phillips'  Academy,  Andover. 

"  I  have  examined,  with  much  pleasure  and  profit,  the  '  Ciceronian,'  pre- 
pared by  Dr.  Sears.    It  is  admirably  adapted  to  make  thorough  teachers  and 
thorough  pupils.    It  requires  of  tne  teacher  a  precise  and  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  minutitc  of  the  Latin  tongue,  and  necessarily  h  ' 
£upil  habits  of  close  thought  and  nice  discrimination.    The  pi 
excellent  8.  H.  TATLOB.' 

MEMORIA  TECHNICA ;  Or,  the  Art  of  Abbreviating  those 
Studies  which  give  the  greatest  Labor  to  the  Memory ;  includ- 
ing Numllers,  Historical  Dates,  Geography,  Astronomy,  Gravi- 
ties, &c.  By  L.  D.  JOHNSON.  Third  Edition,  revised  and 
improved.  Octavo,  cloth  back.  Price  50  cents. 

"  This  system  of  Mnemotechny,  differing  considerably  from  the  one  intro- 
duced by '!Prof.  Gouraud,  is  designed  to  furnish  all  the  rules  for  aiding  the 
memory  without  lessening  mental  culture,  which  can  be  made  available  dur- 
ing a  course  of  elementary  study.  The  illustrations  may  be  easily  compre- 
hended by  any  person  of  ordinary  mental  capacity;  and  the  application  of 
the  principles  upon  which  the  system  is  based,  must  necessarily  furnish  an 
agreeable  and  useful  exercise  to  the  mind."  -  yew  Tort:  Teachers'  Advocate, 


in  the 
e  work 


SEVENTH  THOUSAND. 

WAYLAND'S    POLITICAL    ECONOMY, 

FOR    COMMON     SCHOOLS. 

G^-  .The  success  which  has  attended  the  abridgment  of  "  The 
Elements  of  Moral  Science,"  ha$  induced  the  author  to  prepare 
ar.  abridgment  of  this  work.  In  this  case,  as  in  the  otter,  the 
work  has  been  wli/olly  re-written,  and  adapted  to  the  attainments 

of  youth.'" 

From  the  Boston  Recorder. 

"  The  original  work  of  the  author,  on  Political  Economy,  has 
already  been  noticed  in  our  pages  ;  and  the  present  abridgment  stands 
in  no  need  of  a  recommendation  from  us.  We  may  be  permitted,  how- 
ever, to  say  that  both  the  rising  and  risen  generations  are  deeply 
indebted  to  Dr.  Wayland,  for  the  skill  and  power  he  has  put  forth  to 
bring  a  highly  important  subject  distinctly  before  them,  within  such 
narrow  limits.  Though  '  abridged  for  the  use  of  academies,'  it  deserves 
to  be  introduced  into  every  private  family,  and  to  be  studied  by  every 
man  who  has  an  interest  in  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  his  country. 
It  is  a  subject  little  understood,  even  practically,  by  thousands,  and 
still  less  understood  theoretically.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  this  will  form  a 
class-book,  and  be  faithfully  studied  in  our  academies  ;  and  that  it  will 
find  its  way  into  every  family  library  ;  not  there  to  tie  shut  up  unread, 
but  to  afford  rich  material  for  thought  and  discussion  in  the  family 
circle.  It  is  fitted  to  enlarge  the  mind,  to  purify  the  judgment,  to  cor- 
rect erroneous  popular  impressions,  and  assist  every  man  in  forming 
opinions  of  public  measures,  which  will  abide  the  test  of  time  and  , 
experience." 

From  the  New  York  Transcript. 

"  An  abridgment  of  this  clear,  common-sense  work,  designed  for  the 
use  of  academies,  is  just  published.  We  rejoice  to  see  such  treatises 
spreading  among  the  people  ;  and  we  urge  all  who  would  be  intelligent 
freemen,  to  read  them." 

From  the  New   York  Observer. 

"We  can  say,  with  safety,  that  the  topics  are  well  selected    and 
arranged  ;  that  the  author's  name  is  a  guarantee  for  more  than  usual 
excellence.    We  wish  it  an  extensive  circulation." 
From  the  Daily  Advocate. 

"  It  is  well  adapted  to  high  schools,  and  embraces  the  soundest 
system  of  republican  political  economy  of  any  treatise  extant." 

From  JAMES  SHANNON,  President  of  the  Collr%t  of  Louisiana. 
"  I  hare  rarely  met  with  a  work  of  the  kind  with  which  I  was  more 
pleased,  than  with  Dr.  Wayland's  Elements  of  Political  Economy, 
Abridged.  The  highest  commendation  I  can  give  his  larger  work,  and 
also  his  Elements  of  Moral  Science  is,  that  I  have  introduced  them 
into  my  classes,  as  by  far  the  best  text-books,  on  those  branches,  that  I 
have  ever  seen.  The  latter  work,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  chapters, 
I  regard  almost  perfect." 

4 


PROGRESSIVE    PENMANSHIP, 

PLAIN   AND    ORNAMENTAL, 

FOR    THE    USE    OF    SCHOOLS  ; 

BY  N.  D.  GOULD, 
Author  of  '  Beauties  of  Writing,'1   '  Writing  Master's  Assistant.' 

GOULD  AND  LINCOLN  are  happy  to  present  to  the  public 
the  above  work  from  a  well-known  penman,  whose  great  experi- 
ence in  execution  and  instruction  has  so  eminently  qualified  him 
to  devise  a  system  of  Penmanship  adapted  both  to  the  wants  cf 
Schools,  and  for  the  exercise  of  the  experienced  Penman. 

The  copies  are  arranged  in  progressive  series,  and  are  likewise 
so  diversified  by  the  introduction  of  variations  in  style,  and 
especially  by  the  interspersion  of  a  great  number  of  Capital  let- 
ters, as  to  command  the  constant  attention  and  exercise  the 
ingenuity  of  the  learner,  thus  removing  some  of  the  most  serious 
obstacles  to  the  success  of  the  teacher.  They  are  divided  into 
five  series,  intended  for  the  like  number  of  books,  and  are  so  ar- 
ranged that  a  copy  always  comes  over  the  top  of  the  page  on 
which  it  is  to  be  written. 

There  are  ninety-six  copies,  presenting,  in  the  first  place,  a 
regular  inductive  system  of  Penmanship  for  ordinary  business 
purposes,  followed  by  examples  of  every  variety  of  Ornamental 
Writing. 

The  Copy  Books  are  of  two  sizes,  medium  and  letter  sheet, — 
thus  accommodating  the  wants  of  those  who  desire  larger  sized 
books  than  are  in  general  use.  The  letter  sheet  size  is  divided 
into  four  consecutive  books ;  the  smaller  sizes  into  five. 

The  admirable  and  natural  plan  of  the  work,  the  beauty  of  its 
execution,  the  superior  quality  of  the  paper,  and  its  cheapness, 
must  commend  it  to  the  favorable  regard  of  every  one. 

TEACHERS,  SCHOOL  COMMITTEES,  and  others  interested,  arc 
invited  to  examine  this  series,  which  is  confidently  presented 
as  superior,  in  plan  and  execution,  to  any  book  of  the  kind 
heretofore  published. 


REPUBLICAN    CHRISTIANITY: 

OR   TRUE    LIBERTY; 
A  exhjited  in  the  Life,  Precepts,  and  early  Disciples  of  the  Great  Redeemer 

BY  E.  L.  MAGOON. 

l-2mo.    Price,  $1  25. 


"  It  is  adapted  to  the  spirit  of  the  times.  It  meets  and  answers  the  great 
fnquiry  of  the  present  day.  It  describes  clearly  the  corruptions  of  past 
Urnes,  the  imperfections  of  the  present,  and  the  changes  that  mast  be 
effected  in  the  forms  and  spirit  of  religion,  and  through  religion,  upon  the 
State,  to  secure  to  us  better  and  brighter  prospects  for  the  future.  The 
author  is  not  afraid  to  expose  and  condemn  the  errors  and  corruptions, 
either  of  the  church  or  state." —  Christian  Watchman, 

"  It  is  a  very  readable,  and  we  think  will  prove  a  useful  book.  The  ar- 
gument is  clear  and  well  sustained,  and  the  style  bold  and  direct.  The 
ume  and  spirit  of  the  entire  work  are  that  of  an  independent  thinker,  and 
of  a  man  whose  sympathies  are  with  the  many  and  not  with  the  few,  with 
no  privileged  class,  but  with  the  human  race.  We  commend  this  book  to 
all  lovers  of  true  Jiberty  and  of  a  pure  Christianity."  —  Providence  Journal. 

"  Mr.  Magoon  thinks  boldly,  and  speaks  frankly,  and  with  a  variety  and 
freshness  of  illustration  that  never  fail  to  command  attention." — .Vrio 
York  Tribune. 

"  He  considers  Christianity  in  all  its  parts  as  essentially  republican.  He 
has  maintained  his  position  with  great  tact.  It  is  a  clear,  striking,  attrac- 
tive presentation  of  his  views,  and  the  reasons  for  them.  It  will  excite 
attention,  both  from  the  subject  itself,  and  from  the  manner  in  which  it  is 
handled."  —  Philadelphia  Chronicle. 

"This  book  is  one  which  the  masses  will  read  with  avidity,  and  iu  pe- 
rusal, we  think,  will  fire  up  the  zeal  of  some  Christian  scholars."  —  Baptist 
Memorial. 


PROVERBS  FOR  THE  PEOPLE: 

Or,  Illustrations  of  practical  Godliness,  drawn  from  the  Book  of  Wisdm, 

BY  E.  L.    MAGOOW. 

12mo.    Price,  90  cents. 

'  He  is  quaint,  sententious.  He  has  indeed  the  three  great  qualities 
'  pith,  point,  and  pathos  ; '  and  always  enforces  high  and  noble  sentiments." 
—  JV«w  York  Recorder. 

"  It  is  a  popular  manual  of  great  practical  utility."  —  Ch.  Chronicle,  Fhi'a. 

"The  subjects  are  so  selected  as  to  embrace  nearly  all  the  practical 
duties  of  lift.  The  work,  in  consequence  of  this  peculiar  character,  will 
be  found  extensively  useful." —  Rochester  Democrat. 

"  The  work  abounds  with  original  and  pithy  matter,  well  adapted  to  en- 
sage  the  attention  and  to  reform  the  life.  We  hope  these  discourses  will 
be  extensively  read."  —  Morning  Star,  Dover. 

"  It  is  an  excellent  book  for  young  people,  and  especially  for  young  men, 
•midst  the  temptations  of  bminesi  and  pleasure." — litany  Express. 


THE  WORKS  OF  JOHN  HARRIS,  D  D. 


"  His  copious  and  beautiful  illustrations  of  the  successive  laws  of 
Manifestation,  have  yielded  us  inexpressible  delight."  —  Land.  Ecte> 


THE  PRE-ADAMITE  EARTH:  Contributions  to  Theological 
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"It  b  a  book  for  thinking  men."  It  opens  new  trains  of  thought  to  the 
reader  —  puts  him  in  a  new  position  to  survey  the  wonders  of  God's  works  : 
and  compels  Natural  Science  to  bear  her  decided  testimony  in  support  of  Diving 
Truth."  —  Philadelphia  Ch.  Observer. 

HAN  PRIMEVAL ;  Or,  the  Constitution  and  Primitive  CondW 
tion  of  the  Human  Being.  A  Contribution  to  Theological  Sci- 
ence. With  a  finely  engraved  portrait  of  the  author ;  12mo». 
cloth,  price  $1.25. 

'«*  This  is  the  second  volume  of  a  series  of  works  on  Theological  Science. 
The  first  was  received  with  much  favor  — the  present  is  a  continuation  of  the 
principles  which  were  seen  holding  their  way  through  the  successive  kingdoms 
of  primeval  nature,  and  are  here  resumed  and  exhibited  in  their  next  higher 
application  to  individual  man. 

of  the  Divine 
,  Eclectic  Hevietc. 

THE  GREAT  COMMISSION;  Or,  the  Christian  Church  consti 
tuted  and  charged  to  convey  the  Gospel  to  the  World.  A  Prize 
Essay.  With  an  Introductory  Essay,  by  W.  R.  WILLIAMS,  D.D. 
Sixth  thousand.  12mo.  Price  $1."00. 

"  Of  the  several  productions  of  Dr.  Harris,— all  of  them  of  great  value,  —that 
now  before  us  is  destined,  probably,  to  exert  the  most  powerful  influence  in 
forming  the  religious  and  missionary  character  of  the  coming  generations.  But 
the  vast  fund  of  argument  and  instruction  comprised  in  these  pages  will  excite 
the  admiration  and  inspire  the  gratitude  of  thousands  in  our  own  land  as  well 
as  in  Europe.  Every  clergyman  and  pious  and  reflecting  layman  ought  to  pos- 
sess the  volume,  and  make  it  familiar  by  repeated  perusal." — Boston  Recorder. 

THE  GREAT  TEACHER;  Or,  Characteristics  of  our  Lord's 
Ministry.  With  an  Introductory  Essay,  by  H.  HUMPHREY,  D.D. 
Tenth  thousand.  12mo.  Price  85  cents. 

"  The  book  itself  must  have  cost  much  meditation,  much  communion  on  the 
bosom  of  Jesus,  and  much  prayer.  Its  style  is,  like  the  country  which  gave  it 
birth,  beautiful,  varied,  finished,  and  everywhere  delightful.  But  the  style  of 
this  work  is  its  smallest  excellence.  It  will  be  read :  it  ought  to  be  read.  It  will 
find  its  way  to  many  parlors,  and  add  to  the  comforts  of  many  a  happy  fireside. 
The  reader  will  rise  from  each  chapter,  not  able,  perhaps,  to  carry  with  him 
many  striking  remarks  or  apparent  paradoxes,  but  he  will  have  a  sweet  im- 
pression made  upon  his  soul,  like  that  which  soft  and  touching  music  makes 
when  everv  thine  about  it  is  appropriate.  The  writer  pours  forth  a  clear  and 
beautiful  light,  like  that  of  the  evening  lighthouse,  when  it  sheds  its  rayi  upon 
the  sleeping  waters,  and  covers  them  with  a  surface  of  gold.  We  can  have  no 
lympathy  with  a  heart  which  yields  not  to  impressions  delicate  and  holy, 
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MISCELLANIES ;  Consisting  principally  of  Sermons  and  Essays, 
With  an  introductory  Essay  and  notes,  by  J.  BELCHER,  D.D. 
16mo.  Price  75  cents. 

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of  the  closet  and  the  Christian  fireside."  —  Sangor  Gazette. 

MAMMON  ;  Or,  Covetousness,  the  Sin  of  the  Christian  Church. 
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ZEBULON ;  Or,  the  Moral  Claims  of  Seamen  stated  and  en- 
forced. 18mo.  Price  25  cents. 

THE  ACTIVE  CHRISTIAN;  Containing  "The  Witnessing 
Church,"  etc.  32mo.  Price  31  cents. 


CHURCH  HISTORY.  — POLITY  AND  MEMBERSHIP. 


THE  APOSTOLICAL  AND  PRIMITIVE  CHURCH ;  Popular 
in  its  government  and  simple  in  its  worship.  By  LTMAN 
COLEMAN.  With  an  introductory  essay,  by  Dr.  AUGUSTUS 
NEANDER,  of  Berlin.  Second  Edit.  12mo.  cloth.  Price  $1.25. 

From  the  Professors  in  Anilover  Theological  Seminary. 
"  The  undersigned  are  pleased  to  hear  that  you  ore  soon  to  publish  a  new 
edition  of  the  '  Primitive  Church,'  by  LTJIAJT  COLKMAN.  They  regard  this 
volume  as  the  result  of  extensive  and  original  research ;  as  embodying  very 
important  materials  for  reference,  much  sound  thought  and  conclusive  argu- 
ment In  their  estimation,  it  may  both  interest  and  instruct  the  intelligent 
layman,  may  be  profitably  used  as  a  Text  Book  for  Theological  Students, 
and  should  especially  form  a  part  of  the  libraries  of  clergymen.  The  intro- 
duction, by  NEANDER,  is  of  itself  sufficient  to  recommend  the  volume  to 
the  literary  public."  LEONARD  WOODS,  BELA  B.  EDWARDS, 

KALPH  EMEBSON,  EDWARD  A.  I'AKK. 

THE  CHURCH  MEMBER'S  HAND  BOOK.  A  Guide  to 
the  Doctrines  and  Practices  of  Baptist  Churches.  By  Rev. 
WILLIAM  CROWELL.  ISmo.  Cloth.  Price  37£  cents. 

"  We  have  never  met  with  a  book  of  this  size  that  contained  »o  full  and  complete  a 
synopsis  of  the  Doctrines  anil  Practice  of  the  Baptist,  or  any  other  church,  as  this.  M» 
Crowcll  is  one  of  the  ablest  writers  in  the  denomination,  and  if  there  is  a  subject  In  In* 
whole  range  of  Christianity  which  he  is  pre-eminently  qualified  to  discuss,  it  is  th«  one 
before  u«.  The  '  Hand  Book  '  is  not  an  abridgment  of  the  '  Church  Member's  Man- 
ual,' by  the  same  author,  but  is  written  expressly  as  a  brief,  plain  guide  to  young  mem- 
bers of  the  churcii.  It  appears  to  have  been  prepared  with  much  care  and  labor,  »nd 
ii  just  such  a  tiook  as  is  needed  by  every  young  church  member ;  we  might  safely  add, 
and  by  most  of  the  older  memlwrs  in  the  denomination  ;  for  there  is  a  vast  amount  of 
Information  in  it  that  will  be  found  of  practical  use  to  all."  —  Christian  Secretary. 

eiples  and  practice,  is  worthy  of  careful  study  of  all  the  young  members  of  our  churches, 
We  hope  it  may  be  widely  circulated,  and  that  the  youthful  thousands  of  our  Israel 
may  become  familiar  with  Its  pages."  —  Watchman  and  Reflector. 

THE  CHURCH  IN  EARNEST;    By  JOHN  ANGELL  JAMES. 

18mo.  cloth;  price  50  cents. 

"  A  very  seasonable  publication.  The  church  universal  needs  a  re-awakening 
to  its  high  vocation,  and  this  is  a  book  to  effect,  so  far  as  human  intellect  can,  the 
much  desired  resuscitation."  —  JV.  Y.  Com.  Adv. 

"We  are  glad  to  see  that  this  subject  has  arrested  the  pen  of  Mr.  James.  We 
welcome  and  commend  it.  Let  it  be  scattered  like  autumn  leaves.  We  believe 
its  perusal  will  do  much  to  impress  a  conviction  of  the  high  mission  of  the  Chris- 
tian, nnd  much  to  arouse  the  Cluristian  to  fulfil  it."  —  N.  Y.  Tfttorder. 

"  We  rejoice  that  this  work  has  been  republished  in  this  country,  and  we  can- 
not too  strongly  commend  it  to  the  serious  perusal  of  the  churches  of  every 
mune." —  Christian  Alliance. 


heart,  and   holiness  of  life.    The  influence  which  this  work  will  exert  on  the 
church  must  be  highly  salutary."  —  Botton  Recorder. 

THE  CHURCH  MEMBER'S  GUIDE.  By  Rev.  J.  A.  JAMES. 
Edited  bv  Rev.  J.  0.  CHOULES.  New  Edition  ;  with  an  Intro- 
ductory Essay,  by  R«7.  H.  WISSLOW.  18mo.  cloth.  Price  38 
cents. 


of  my  church  should  po 
•till  more  extensively." 

"  The  spontaneous  effusion  of  our  heart,  on  laying  the  book  down,  was,  — 
may  every  church-member  in  our  land  soon  possess  this  book,  and  be  blessed 
with  all  the  happiness  which  conformity  to  its  evangelic  sentiments  and 
directions  is  calculated  to  confer."  —  Christian  Secretary. 


THE  WORKS  OF  JENKYN—  CHURCH—  KEMPIS. 


THE  EXTENT  OF  THE  ATONEMENT,  in  its  relation  to  God 
and  the  Universe.  By  THOMAS  W-  JENKYN,  D.D.  12mo. 
cloth.  Price  85  cents. 

"We  have  examined  this  work  with  profound  interest  and  become  deeply 
impressed  with  its  value.  Its  style  is  lucid,  its  analysis  perfect,  its  spirit  and 
tendencies  eminently  evangelical.  We  have  nowhere  else  seen  the  atoa» 
ment  so  clearly  defined,  or  vindicated  on  grounds  so  appreciable." 

New  York  Recorder. 

"  As  a  treatise  on  the  grand  relation  of  the  Atonement,  it  is  a  book  which 
may  be  emphatically  said  to  contain  the  '  seeds  of  things,'  the  elements  of 
mightier  and  nobler  contributions  of  thought  respecting  the  sacrifice  of  Christ. 
than  any  modern  production.  It  is  characterized  by  highly  original  and 
dense  trains  of  thought,  which  make  the  reader  feel  that  he  is  holding  con>- 
muniou  with  ft  mind  that  can  '  mingle  with  the  universe.'  We  consider  this 
Tolume  as  setting  the  long  and  fiercely  agitated  question,  as  to  the  extent  of 
the  Atonement,  completely  at  rest.  Posterity  will  thank  the  author  till  the 
latest  ages,  for  his  illustrious  arguments."  —  Aew  fork  Evangelist. 

THE  UNION  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT  AND  THE  CHURCH. 

in  the  Conversion  of  the  World.  By  THOMAS  W.  JEVKYN, 
D.D.  12mo.,  cloth.  Price  85  cents. 

"  The  discussion  is  eminently  scriptural,  placing  its  grand  theme,  the  union 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the  Church  in  the  conversion  of  the  world,  in  a  very 
dear  and  affecting  light."  —  Christian  Watchman. 

"  A  very  excellent  work  upon  a  very  important  subject  The  author  seeras 
to  have  studied  it  in  all  its  bearings,  as  presented  to  his  contemplation  in  the 
•acred  volume."  —  London  Evangelical  Magazine. 

"  Fine  talent,  sound  learning,  and  scriptural  piety  pervade  every  page.  It  is 
Impossible  that  it  can  be  read  without  producing  great  effects.  Mr.  Jenkyn 
deserves  the  thanks  of  the  whole  body  of  Christians  for  a  book  which  will 
greatly  benefit  the  world  and  the  church."  —  London  Evangelist. 

ANTIOCH ;  Or,  Increase  of  Moral  Power  in  the  Church  of 
Christ.  By  Eev.  P.  CHURCH.  With  an  Introductory  Essay, 
by  BARON  STOW,  D.D.  18mo.,  cloth.  Price  50  cents. 

*  It  is  a  book  of  close  and  consecutive  thought,  and  treats  of  subjects  which 
•re  of  the  deepest  interest,  at  the  present  time,  to  the  churches  of  this  country 
The  author  is  favorably  known  to  the  religious  public,  as  an  original  thinker, 
and  a  forcible  writer."  —  Christian  Reflector. 

"  By  some  this  book  will  be  condemned,  by  many  it  will  be  read  with 
pleasure,  because  it  analyzes  and  renders  tangible,  principles  that  have  been 
vaguely  conceived  in  many  minds,  reluctantly  promulgated,  and  hesitatingly 
believed.  We  advise  our  brethren  to  read  the  book,  and  judge  for  thenv- 
•elves."  —  Jlaptitt  Record. 

*  It  is  the  work  of  an  original  thinker,  on  a  subject  of  great  practical  interest 
to  the  church.    It  is  replete  with  suggestions,  which,  in  our  view,  are  emi- 
nently worthy  of  consideration."  —  PMta.  Christian  Observer. 

THE  IMITATION  OF  CHRIST.  By  THOMAS  A  KEMPIS. 
With  an  Introductory  Essay,  by  T.  CHALMERS,  D.D.  A  new 
and  improved  edition.  Edited  by  H.  MALCOM,  D.D.  18mo^ 
cloth.  Price  38  cents. 

CHE  PERSON  AND  WORK  OF  CHRIST.  By  ERNEST 
SAETOB.IUS,  D.  D.  Translated  from  the  German,  by  Ren. 
0.  S.  STEARNS,  A.  M.  Cloth.  42  cents. 

"  A  work  of  much  ability,  and  presenting  the  argument  in  a  style  thai 
will  be  new  to  most  American  readers,  it  will  deservedly  attract  atteu 
tion."  — JV.  Y.  Observer. 


PHILOSOPHY  AND  PHILOLOGY. 


ANCIENT  LITERATURE  AND  ART ;  Or,  Essays  on  Cla* 
sical  Studies,  with  the  Biography  and  Correspondence  of 
Eminent  Philologists.  By  BARNAS  SEARS,  of  Newton; 
B.  B.  EDWARDS,  of  Andover ;  and  C.  C.  FELTOX,  of  Cam- 
bridge. 12mo.  Cloth.  Price,  #1  25. 

"  The  object  of  the  accomplished  gentlemen  who  have  engaged  in  its  piepa- 
ration  has  been,  to  foster  and  extend  among  educated  men,  in  this  country,  the 
already  growing  interest  in  classical  studies.  The  design  is  a  noble  ur.d 
generous  one,  and  has  been  executed  with  a  taste  and  good  sense  that  do  honor 
both  to  the  writers  and  the  publishers.  The  book  is  one  which  deserves  a  place 
In  the  library  of  every  educated  man.  To  those  now  engaged  in  classical  study 
it  cannot  foil  to  be  Highly  useful,  while  to  the  mere  advanced  scholar,  it  will 
open  new  sources  of  Interest  and  delight  in  the  unforgotten  pursuits  of  his 
earlier  days."  —  Providence  Journal. 

GESENIUS'S  HEBREW  GRAMMAR.  Translated  from  the 
Eleventh  German  Edition.  By  T.  J.  COXAXT,  Prof,  of  He- 
brew and  of  Biblical  Criticism  and  Interpretation  in  the  Theol. 
Institution  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  With  a  Course  of  Exercises  in 
Hebrew  Grammar,  and  a  Hebrew  Chrestoinathy,  prepared  by 
the  Translator.  8vo.  cloth.  Price  $2.00. 

"*,*  Special  reference  has  been  had  in  the  arrangement,  illustrations,  the 
addition  of  the  Course  of  Exercises,  the  Chrestomathy,  &c.,  to  adapt  it  to  the 
wants  of  those  who  may  wish  to  pursue  the  study  of  Hebrew  without  the  aid 
of  a  teacher. 

LIFE  OF  GODFREY  WILLIAM  VON  LIEBNITZ.  On  the 
basis  of  the  German  Work  of  Dr.  G.  E.  Guhrauer.  By  JOHN 
M.  MACKIK.  16mo.  cloth.  Price  75  cents. 

"  The  peculiar  relation  which  Liebnitz  sustained  during  his  life  to  Locke 
and  Newton  may  partly  account  for  the  fact  that  a  biography  of  this  great  man 
has  been  so  long  wanting  in  the  English  language.  .  .  .  We  commend  this 
book,  not  only  to  scholars  and  men  of  science,  but  to  all  our  readers  who  love 
to  contemplate  the  life  and  labors  of  a  great  and  good  man.  It  merits  tho 
special  notice  of  all  who  arc  interested  in  the  business  of  education,  and 
deserves  a  place  by  the  side  of  Brewster's  Life  of  Newton,  in  all  the  libraries 
of  our  schools,  academies,  and  literary  institutions."—  Christian  Watchman. 

"There  is  perhaps  no  case  on  record  of  a  single  man  who  has  so  gone  the 
rounds  of  human  knowledge  as  did  Liebnitz  :  he  was  not  a  recluse, like  Spi- 
noza and  Kant,  but  went  from  capital  to  capital,  and  associated  with  kings 
and  premiers.  All  branches  of  thought  were  interesting  to  him,  and  he  seems 
Jn  pursuing  all  to  have  been  actuated  not  by  ambition,  but  by  a  sincere 
desire  to  promote  the  knowledge  and  welfare  of  mankind.  —  Christian  World, 

LIFE  OF  ROGER  WILLIAMS,  The  Founder  of  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island.  By  WM.  GAMMELL,  Prof,  in  Brown  University. 
With  a  Likeness."  12mo.  cloth.  Price  75  cents. 

"  Mr.  Gammell's  fine  belles-letters  attainments  have  enabled  him  to  present 
his  distinguished  subject  in  the  most  captivating  light.  So  far  as  the  work 
touches  controversies  which  reach  and  influence  the  present  times,  it  is  our 
privilege  as  well  as  duty  to  read  it  as  a  private  citizen,  and  not  as  a  public  ,our- 
nalist.  lie  mechanical  execution  Is  in  the  usnally  neat  style  of  the  respcctabla 
publishers."  —  Oiristian  Alliatice. 

"  This  life  has  many  virtues  -  brevity,  simplicity,  fairness.  Though  written 
by  a  Rhode  Island  man,  and  warm  In  its  approval  of  Roger  Williams,  it  is 
not  unjust  to  his  Puritan  opponents,  but  only  draws  such  deductions  as  were 
unavoidable  from  the  premises.  It  is  the  life  of  a  good  man,  and  we  read 
with,  grateful  complacency  the  commendation  of  his  excellences." 

Ohrutian  World, 


WORKS  ON  MISSIONS. 


THE  MISSIONARY  ENTERPRISE  ;  A  Collection  of  Discourse* 
on  Christian  Missions,  by  American  Authors.  Edited  by 
BARON  STOW,  D.D.  12mo.,  cloth.  Price  85  cents. 

"  If  we  desired  to  put  into  the  hands  of  a  foreigner  a  fair  exhibition  of  the 
capacity  and  spirit  of  the  American  church,  we  would  give  him  this  volume. 
You  have  here  thrown  together  a  few  discourses,  preached  from  time  to  time, 
by  different  individuals,  of  different  denominations,  as  circumstances  hava 
demanded  them  i  and  you  see  the  stature  and  feel  the  pulse  of  the  American 
Church  in  these  discourses  with  a  certainty  not  to  be  mistaken. 

"  You  see  the  high  talent  of  the  American  church.  "We  venture  the  asser- 
tion, that  no  nation  in  the  world  has  such  an  amount  of  forceful,  available 
talent  in  its  pulpit,  f  The  energy,  directness,  scope,  and  intellectual  spirit  of 
the  American  churfih  is  wonderful.  In  this  book,  the  discourses  Dy  Dr. 
Beecher,  Pres.  Wayland,  and  the  Kev.  Dr.  Stone  of  the  Episcopal  church,  ara 
among  the  very  highest  exhibitions  of  logical  correctness,  and  burning,  popu- 
lar fervor.  This  volume  will  have  a  wide  circulation." — The  JTew  Englunder. 

"  This  work  contains  fifteen  sermons  on  Missions,  by  Eev.  Drs.  Wayland. 
Griffin,  Anderson,  Williams,  Beecher,  Miller,  Fuller,  Beraan,  Stone,  Masou. 
and  by  Kcv.  Messrs.  Kirk,  Stow,  and  Ide.  It  is  a  rich  treasure,  which  ought 
to  be  in  the  possession  of  every  American  Christian."  —  Carolina  Baptist. 

THE  GREAT  COMMISSION  ;  Or,  the  Christian  Church  consti- 
tuted and  charged  to  convey  the  Gospel  to  the  world.  A  Prize 
Essay.  By  John  HAKKIS,  D.D.  With  an  Introductory  Essay, 
by  W.  R.  WILLIAJIS,  D.D.  Sixth  thousand.  12mo.,  cloth. 
Price  $1.00. 

"  His  plan  is  original  and  comprehensive.  In  filling  it  up  the  author  has 
interwoven  facts  with  rich  and  glowing  illustrations,  and  with  trains  of 
thought  that  are  sometimes  almost  resistless  in  their  appeals  to  the  conscience. 
The  work  is  not  more  distinguished  for  its  arguments  and  its  geuius,  than  for 
the  spirit  of  deep  and  fervent  piety  that  pervades  it." —  The  Dayspring. 

"  Its  style  is  remarkably  chaste  and  elegant.  IU  sentiments  richly  and  fer- 
Tently  evangelical,  its  argumentation  conclusive."  —  Zion's  Herald,  Boiton. 

"  To  recommend  this  work  to  the  friends  of  missions  of  all  denominations 
•would  be  but  faint  praise ;  the  author  deserves  and  will  undoubtedly  receive 
the  credit  of  having  applied  a  new  lever  to  that  great  moral  machine  which, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  is  destined  to  evangelize  the  world." 

Christian  Secretary,  Hartford. 

"We  hope  that  the  volume  will  be  attentively  and  prayerfully  read  by  tho 
whole  church,  which  are  clothed  with  the  "  Great  Commission  "  to  evangelize 
the  world,  and  that  they  will  ire  moved  to  an  immediate  discharge  of  its  high 
and  momentous  obligations. — -V.  E.  Puritan,  Huston. 

THE  KAREN  APOSTLE ;  Or,  Memoir  of  Ko  THAH-BTU,  the 
first  Karen  convert  with  notices  concerning  his  Nation.  By  the 
Rev.  FRANCIS  MASON.  Edited  by  Prof.  H.  J.  RIPLEY.  Fifth 
thousand.  18mo.,  cloth.  Price  2o  cents. 

"  This  Is  a  work  of  thrilling  interest,  containing  the  history  of  a  remarkable 
man,  and  giving,  also,  much  information  respecting  the  Karen  Mission,  here- 
tofore unknown  in  this  country.  It  gives  an  account,  which  must  be  attrac- 
tive, from  its  novelty,  of  a  people  that  have  been  but  little  known  and  visited 
by  missionaries,  till  within  a  few  years.  The  baptism  of  Ko  Thah-Byu,  In 
1S2S,  was  the  beginning  of  the  mission,  and  at  the  end  of  these  twelve  year*, 
twelve  hundred  and  seventy  Karens  arc  officially  reported  as  members  of  the 
churches,  in  good  standing.  The  mission  has  been  caniert  on  pre-eminently 
by  the  Karens  themselves,  and  there  is  no  doubt,  from  much  touching  evi- 
dence contained  in  this  volume,  that  they  are  a  people  peculiarly  susceptible 
V  religious  impressions." 


MEMOIRS  OF  DISTINGUISHED  MISSIONARIES. 


MEMOIR  OF  ANN  H.  JUDSON,  late  Missionary  to  Burmah. 
By  Rev.  JAMES  D.  KNOWLES.  With  a  likeness.  12mo.,  fin« 
Edition,  price  85  cents.  18ino.  Price  58  cents. 

"  We  are  particularly  gratified  to  perceive  a  new  edition  of  the  Memoirs  of 
Mrs.  Judson.  She  was  an  honor  to  our  country — one  of  the  most  noble- 
opirited  of  her  sex.  It  cannot,  therefore,  be  surprising,  that  so  many  editions, 
»nd  so  many  thousand  copies  of  her  life  and  adventures  have  been  sold. 
The  name  — the  long  career  of  suffering  —  the  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  the 
retired  country-girl,  huve  spread  over  the  whole  world ;  and  the  heroism  of 
her  apostleship  and  almost  martyrdom,  stands  out  a  living  and  heavenly 
beacon-fire,  amid  the  dark  midnight  of  ages,  and  human  history  and  exploits. 
She  was  the  first  woman  who  resolved  to  become  a  missionary  to  heathea 
countries."  —American  Traveller. 

"  This  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  pieces  of  female  biography  which  haj 
ever  come  under  our  notice.  No  quotation,  which  our  limits  allow,  would  do 
justice  to  the  facts,  and  we  must,  therefore,  refer  our  readers  to  the  volume 
itself.  It  ought  to  be  Immediately  added  to  every  family  library." 

London  Miscellany. 

MEMOIR  OF  GEORGE  DANA  BOARDMAN,  Late  Missionary 
to  Burmah,  containing  much  intelligence  relative  to  the  Bur- 
man  mission.  By  Rev.  ALONZO  KING.  Embellished  with  a 
Likeness;  a  beautiful  Vignette,  representing  the  baptismal 
scene  just  before  his  death ;  and  a  drawing  of  his  tomb.  By 
Rev.  H.  MALCOM,  D.D.  12mo.  Price  75  cents. 

"  One  of  the  brightest  luminaries  of  Burmah  is  extinguished  — dear  brother 
Boardman  is  gone  to  his  eternal  rest.  lie  fell  gloriously  at  the  hoad  of  hii 
troops  —  in  the  arms  of  victory,  —  thirty-eight  wild  Karens  having  been 
brought  into  the  camp  of  king  Jesus  since  the  beginning  of  the  year,  besides 
the  thirty-two  that  were  brought  in  during  the  two  preceding  years.  Dis- 
abled by  wounds,  he  was  obliged,  through  the  whole  of  the  last  expedition,  to 
be  carried  on  a  litter ;  but  his  presence  was  a  host,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  accom- 
panied his  dying  whispen  with  almighty  influence,"  —  Rev.  Dr.  Judson, 

MEMOIR  OF  MRS.  HENRIETTA  SHUCK.  The  first  American 
Female  Missionary  to  China.  By  Rev.  J.  B.  JETER.  With  a 
Likeness.  Fourth  thousand.  18mo.  Price  50  cents. 

"The  style  of  the  author  is  sedate  and  perspicuous,  such  as  we  might 
expect  from  his  known  piety  and  learning,  his  attachment  to  missions,  and 
the  amiable  lady  whose  memory  he  embalms.  The  book  will  be  extensively 
read  and  eminently  useful,  and  thus  the  ends  sought  by  the  author  will  M 
happily  secured.  We  think  we  are  not  mistaken  in  this  opinion.  Tho«e 
•who  are  interested  in  China,  that  large  opening  field  for  the  glorious  coa- 
quests  of  divine  truth,  will  be  interested  in  this  Memoir.  To  the  friends  of 
minions  generally,  the  book  is  commended,  as  worthy  of  an  attentive  peru- 
sal." —  1'ne  Family  Visitor,  Boston. 

MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  G.  CROCKER,  Late  Missionary 
in  West  Africa,  among  the  Bassas,  Including  a  History  of  the 
Mission.  By  R.  B.  MEDBERY.  With  a  likeness.  18mo, 
Price  62^  ce'nts. 

"  Our  acquaintance  with  the  excellent  brother,  who  Is  the  subject  of  thi* 
Memoir,  will  be  long  and  fondly  cherished.  This  volume,  prepared  by  a  lady, 
of  true  taste  and  taient,  and  of  a  kindred  spirit,  while  it  is  but  a  just  tribute 
to  his  worth,  will,  we  doubt  not,  furnish  lessons  of  humble  and  practical  piety, 
and  will  give  such  facts  relative  to  the  mission  to  which  he  devoted  his  life,  as 
to  render  it  worthy  a  distinguished  place  among  the  religious  and  missionary 
biography  which  has  so  much  enriched  the  family  of  God."  -  Watchman. 


REV.  HARVEY  NEWCOMB'S  WORKS. 


HOW  TO  BE  A  LADY;  A  Book  for  Girls,  containing  useful 
hints  on  the  formation  of  character.  Fifth  thousand.  18mo», 
gilt  cloth.  Price  50  cents. 

"  Having  daughters  of  his  own,  and  having  been  many  years  employed  In 
•writing  for  the  voung,  he  hopes  to  be  able  to  offer  some  good  advice,  in  am 
entertaining  way,  for  girls  or  misses,  between  the  ages  of  eight  and  nfteeot 
His  object  is,  to  assist  them  in  forming  their  characters  upon  the  beet  model 
that  they  may  become  well-bred,  intelligent,  refined,  and  good  ;  and  then  they 
will  be  real  ladies,  in  the  highest  sense."  —  Preface. 

"  They  are  full  of  wholesome  and  judicious  counsel*,  which  ore  wel!  fitted  to 
preserve  the  young  from  the  numberless  evils  to  which  they  are  exposed,  and 
to  mould  them  to  virtue  and  usefulness.  There  is  a  directness  and  earnestness 
pervading  the  whole,  which  must  secure  for  it  a  ready  access  to  the  youthful 
mind  and  heart"  —  Albany  Argus, 

HOW  TO  BE  A  MAN;  A  Book  for  Boys,  containing  useful 
hints  on  the  formation  of  character.  Fifth  thousand.  18mo.; 
gilt  cloth.  Price  60  cents. 

"  My  design  in  writing  has  been  to  contribute  something  towards  fbrming 
the  character  of  those  who  are  to  be  our  future  electors,  legislators,  governors, 
judges,  ministers,  lawyers,  and  physicians,  —  after  the  Best  model.  It  is 
intended  for  boys — or,  if  you  please,  for  young  gentlemen,  in  early  youttv 
from  eight  or  ten  to  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age."  —  Preface. 

"  They  contain  wise  and  important  counsels  and  cautions,  adapted  to  the 
young,  and  made  entertaining  by  the  interesting  style  and  illustrations  of  tha 
author.  They  are  fine  mirrors,  in  which  are  reflected  the  prominent  linea- 
ments of  the  Christian  young  gentleman  and  yovng  lady.  The  execution  of 
the  works  is  of  the  first  order,  and  the  books  will  afford  elegant  and  most  prof- 
itable presents  for  the  young."  —  American  Pulpit. 

ANECDOTES  FOR  BOYS ;  Entertaining  Anecdotes  and  Narra- 
tives, illustrative  of  principles  and  character.  18mo.,  gilt  cloth. 
Price  42  cents. 

"  Nothing  has  a  greater  interest  for  a  youthful  mind  than  a  well-told  story, 
and  no  medium  of  conveying  moral  instructions  so  attractive  or  so  successful. 
The  influence  of  all  such  stories  is  far  more  powerful  when  the  child  is  assured 
that  they  arc  true.  The  book  before  us  is  conducted  upon  these  ideas.  It  is 
made  up  of  a  scries  of  anecdotes,  every  one  of  which  inculcates  some  exceV 
lent  moral  lesson.  We  cannot  too  highly  approve  of  the  book,  or  too  strongly 
recommend  it  to  parents."  —  Western  Continent,  Baltimore. 

ANECDOTES  FOR  GIRLS  ;  Entertaining  Anecdotes  and  Narra- 
tives,  illustrative  of  principles  and  character.  18mo.,  gilt  cloth. 
Price  42  cents. 

"  There  is  a  charm  about  these  two  beautiful  volumes  not  to  be  mistaken. 
They  are  deeply  interesting  and  instructive,  without  being  fictitious.  Th» 
anecdotes  are  many,  short,  and  spirited,  with  a  moral  drawn  from  each,  some- 
what after  the  manner  of  Todu ;  and  no  youth  can  read  them  without  finding 
something  therein  adapted  to  every  age,  condition,  and  duty  of  life.  W« 
commend  it  to  families  and  schools."  —  Albany  Spectator. 

"  He  desires  to  instruct  rather  than  to  dazzle  ;  to  infuse  correct  principle* 
Into  the  minds  and  the  heart  of  the  young,  than  cater  to  a  depraved  appetite 
for  romantic  excitement.  We  cordially  commend  these  volumes  to  all 
parents  and  children."  —  Christian  Alliance. 

CHRISTIANITY  DEMONSTRATED  in  four  distinct  and  inde- 
pendent series  of  proofs ;  with  an  explanation  of  the  Types  and 
Prophecies  concerning  the  Messiah.  12mo.  Price  76  cents. 

*»*  Th*  objett  of  the  writer  has  been  to  classify  and  condense  the  evidence, 
that  th«  who!e  force  of  each  particular  kind  might  be  seen  at  one  view.  He 
has  also  ai»,ed  to  render  the  work  practical,  so  as  to  have  it  a  book  to  be  read 
as  well  at  Omdud.  The  Types  and  Prophecies  furnish  an  important  specie* 
of  evidvao*,  tnd  are  rich  in  instruction  upon  the  way  of  Salvation. 


W.  &  R.  CHAMBERS' S  WORKS. 


CHAMBER'S  CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  ENGLISH  LITERATURE ; 

A  selection  of  the  choicest  productions  of  English  Authors, 
from  the  earliest  to  the  present  time  ;  Connected  by  a  Criti- 
cal and  Biographical  History.  Edited  by  ROBERT  CHAMBERS. 
In  two  vols.  octavo,  with  upwards  of  300  elegant  illustrations. 
Price,  in  cloth,  $5.00. 

*«»  The  Publishers  of  the  AMERICAN  Edition  of  thin  valuable  work  desire 
to  state,  that,  besides  the  numerous  pictorial  illustrations  in  the  English  Edition, 
they  hare  greatly  enriched  the  work  by  the  addition  of  fine  steel  and  mezzotint 
engravings  of  the  heads  of  Shakspcare,  Addison,  Byron ;  a  full  length  portrait 
of  Dr.  Johnson,  and  a  beautiful  scenic  representation  of  Oliver  Goldsmith  and 
Dr.  Johnson.  These  elegant  additions  together  with  superior  paper  and  bind* 
ing  must  give  this  a  decided  preference  over  all  other  editions. 

"  We  hail  with  peculiar  pleasure  the  appearance  of  this  work,  and  more  espec- 
ially its  Eepublication  in  this  country  at  a  price  which  places  it  within  the 
reach  of  a  great  number  of  readers,  and  for  which  they  can  expect  to  be  remu- 
nerated only  by  a  very  extensive  sale." 

"  The  selections  given  by  Mr.  Chambers  from  the  works  of  the  early  English 
writers  are  copious,  and  judiciously  made.  *****  We  shall  conclude  as  we 
commenced,  with  expressing  a  hope  that  the  publication  which  has  called 
forth  our  remarks  will  exert  an  influence  in  directing  the  attention  of  the 
public  to  the  literature  of  our  forefathers."  —  North  American  Review. 

CHAMBERS'S  MISCELLANY  of  Useful  and  Entertaining 
Knowiedge,  with  elegant  illustrative  engravings.  Edited  by 
WILLIAM  CHAMBERS.  Ten  volumes,  cloth.  Price  $10.00 

*»*  The  design  of  the  MISCELLANY  is  to  supply  the  increasing  demand  for 
useful,  instructive,  and  entertaining  reading,  and  to  bring  all  the  aids  of  litera- 
ture to  bear  on  the  cultivation  of the  feelings  and  tinder  standing  of  the  p  eople— 
to  impress  correct  views  on  important  moral  and  social  questions — suppress 
every  species  of  strife  and  savagery  —  cheer  the  lagging  and  desponding  by  the 
relation  of  tales  drawn  from  the  imagination  of  popular  writers  —  ronse  the 
fancy  by  descriptions  of  interesting  foreign  scenes  —  give  a  zest  to  every-day 
occupations  by  ballad  and  lyrical  poetry  —  in  short,  to  furnish  an  unobtrusive 
friend  and  guide,  a  lively  fireside  companion,  as  far  as  that  object  can  b* 
attained  through  the  instrumentality  of  books. 

CHAMBERS'S  LIBRARY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  A  series  at 
small  books,  elegantly  illuminated.  Edited  by  WILLIAM 
CHAMBERS.  Each  volume  forms  a  complete  work,  embeV 
Eshed  with  a  fine  steel  engraving,  and  is  sold  separately. 
18mo.  Price  37M  cents. 

ORLANDINO  :  A  Story  of  Self-Denial.  By  MARIA  EDGEWORTH. 

THE  LITTLE  ROBINSON  :  And  other  Tales. 

UNCLE  SAM'S  MONEY  BOX.    By  Mrs.  S.  C.  HALL. 

JACOPO  :  Tales  by  Miss  EDGEWORTH  and  others. 

TRUTH  AND  TRUST.    Jervis  Ryland  —  Victor  and  L5sett«. 

ALFRED  IN  INDIA.  CLEVER  BOYS. 

MORAL  COURAGE.  TALES  OF  OLD  ENGLAND- 

tip"  Other  volumes  are  in  preparation. 


RIPLEY'S  NOTES.  —  CRUDEN'S  CONCOfiDANCE. 


THE  FOUR  GOSPELS,  WITH  NOTES.  Chiefly  Explanatory 
intended  principally  for  Sabbath  School  Teachers  and  Bible 
Classes,  and  as  an  aid  to  Family  Instruction.  By  H.  J. 
RIPLEY.  With  a  Map  of  Palestine.  Eighth  thousand.  12mcv, 
half  morocco.  Price  $1.25. 

"  The  undersigned,  having  examined  Professor  Ripley's  Notes  on  the  Go- 
pels,  can  recommend  them  with  confidence  to  all  who  need  such  helps  in  th* 
study  of  the  sacred  Scriptures.  Those  passages  which  all  can  understand  ar* 
Uft  '  without  note  or  comment,'  and  the  principal  labor  is  devoted  to  the 
explanation  of  such  parts  as  need  to  be  explained  and  rescued  from  the  per- 
versions of  errorists,  both  the  ignorant  and  the  learned.  The  practical  sug- 
gestions at  the  close  of  each  chapter,  are  not  the  least  valuable  portion  of  the 
work.  Most  cordially,  for  the  sake  of  truth  and  righteousness,  do  we  wish  for 
these  Notes  a  wide  circulation." 

BAEOJT  STOW,         R.  H.  NEALK,  B.  TCRXBULL, 

DANIEL  SHARP,      J.  W.  PAKKJSB,         N.  COLVKB, 
WM.  HAG  UK,          R.  W.  CCSHMAN,     J.  W.  BOSWOBTH. 

THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES,  WITH  NOTES.  Chiefly 
Explanatory.  Designed  for  Teachers  in  Sabbath  Schools  and 
Bible  Classes,  and  as  an  Aid  to  Family  Instruction.  By  Prof. 
H.  J.  Ripley.  With  a  Map  of  Paul's  Travels.  Third  Thousand. 
12mo.,  half  morocco.  Price  75  cents. 

"  On  examining  the  contents,  we  are  favorably  impressed,  first,  by  the  won- 
derful perspicuity,  simplicity,  and  comprehensiveness  of  the  author's  rtylt ; 
secondly,  by  the  completeness  and  systematic  arrangement  of  the  work,  in  all 
its  parts ;  thirdly,  by  the  correct  theology,  solid  instruction,  and  consistent 
explanations  of  difficult  passages.  The  work  cannot  fail  to  be  received  with 
favor."  —  Christian  Reflector,  Boston. 

CRUDEN'S  CONDENSED  CONCORDANCE.  A  Complete 
Concordance  to  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  by  ALEXANDER  CRU- 
DES, M.A.  A  New  and  Condensed  Edition,  with  an  Introduc- 
tion ;  by  Rev.  DAVID  KING,  LL.D.  Fifth  Thousand.  Price, 
in  Boards,  $1.25 ;  Sheep,  $1.50. 

*,*  This  edition  is  printed  from  English  plates,  and  ii  a  full  and  fair  copy 
of  all  that  is  valuable  in  Cruden  as  a  Concordance.  The  condensation  of  the 
quotations  of  Scripture,  arranged  under  their  most  obvious  heads,  while  it 
diminishes  the  bulk  of  the  work,  greatly  facilitates  the  finding  of  any  required 
passage. 

"  Those  who  have  been  acquainted  with  the  various  works  of  this  kind 
now  in  use,  well  know  that  Cruden's  Concordance  far  excels  all  others.  Yet 
we  have  in  this  edition  the  best  made  better.  That  is,  the  present  is  better 
adapted  to  the  purposes  of  a  Concordance,  by  the  erasure  of  superfluous 
references,  the  omission  of  unnecessary  explanations,  and  the  contraction  of 
quotations,  &c. ;  it  is  better  as  a  manual,  and  Is  better  adapted  by  its  price  to 
the  means  of  many  who  need  and  ought  to  possess  such  a  work,  than  the 
former  larger  and  expensive  edition."  —  Ration  Recorder. 

"  The  new,  condensed,  and  cheap  work  prepared  from  the  voluminous  ana 
costly  one  of  Crnden,  opportunely  fills  a  chasm  in  our  Biblical  literature. 
The  work  has  been  examined  critically,  and  pronounced  complete  and  actu- 
rate."  —  Baptitt  Record,  Philadelphia. 

"  This  Is  the  very  work  of  which  we  have  long  felt  the  need,  and  we  are 
much  pleased  that  its  enterprising  publishers  can  now  furnish  the  student  of 
the  Bible  with  a  work  which  he  so  much  needs  at  «o  cheap  a  rate." 

Advent  Herald,  Sotion. 

"  We  cannot  see  but  it  is,  in  aU  points,  as  valuable  a  book  of  reference,  ten 
ministers  and  Bible  students,  as  the  larger  edition."  —  Christian  Keflectnr. 


MOTHERS  OF  THE  WISE  AND  GOOD. 

BY   JABEZ   BURNS,  D.  D. 

3&ccommeHUatfons. 

FEOM  REV.  J.  ANGELL  JAMES. 

"  It  is  a  useful  and  valuable  work,  replete  with  instruction  and  en- 
couragement, and  will  have,  I  hope,  as  it  deserves  to  have,  a  wide  cir- 
culation. I  make  much  use  of  it  in  my  periodical  meetings,  among 
this  interesting  and  important  class." 

FROM  REV.  DR.  BEAUMONT. 

"  I  am  constrained  to  say  that  it  is  full  of  interest,  and  that  of  the 
most  pleasing  and  useful  kind.  It  presents  to  the  reader  a  bouquet  of 
charmed  names — a  cabinet  of  charming  reminiscences — a  tissue  of  facts 
and  morals,  of  incidents  and  principles,  at  once  delightful  and  edifying. 
And  as  a  gallery  of  '  elect  ladies'  and  their  sons,  it  would  be  a  prott Sta- 
ble study  for  all  who  fill  the  important  relations  of  son  and  mother." 

FROM  REV.  \V.  TV.  ROBINSON,  M.A, 

"  I  earnestly  hope  that  this  little  volume,  which  is  a  suitable  present 
to  the  Mothers  of  England,  will  have  a  wide  circulation  ;  and  that  its 
perusal  will  be  accompanied  by  the  powerful  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

FROM  REV.  HENRY  GREY,  D.D. 

"  It  has  afforded  pleasure  to  Mrs.  Grey  and  myself.  It  appears  to  me 
a  valuable  selection  of  specimens  of  the  success  attending  the  faithful 
performance  of  an  important  class  of  duties ;  and  will,  I  trust,  prove 
instructive  and  encouraging  to  many  mothers,  showing  in  so  many  in- 
stances the  happy  effect  of  their  prayers  and  exertions." 

FROM  REV.  J.  P.  DOBSON. 

"Would  that  all  mothers— young  mothers  especially — had  such  a 
volume  in  their  possession,  and  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  make  it  a 
node  mecum,  in  the  training  of  their  infant  charge.  I  rejoice  to  speak  of 
it  wherever  I  can,  and  shall  be  ready  and  glad  to  avail  myself  of  every 
opportunity  of  recommending  it,  because  I  can  recommend  it  consci- 
entiously and  earnestly." 

FROM  THE  FREE  CHURCH  MAGAZINE. 

"  We  have  lingered  over  the  pages  of  this  most  attractive  book,  with 
feelings  of  interest,  and  tenderness,  and  affection,  which  we  cannot  ex- 
press. Many  remembrances  of  youth  arose,  and  took  full  possession 
of  our  heart,  while  in  some  instances  we  scarcely  knew  whether  we 
read  the  pages  of  the  work  before  us,  or  those  of  memory.  It  is  well 
that  instances  of  the  precious  influences  of  maternal  piety,  prudence, 
and  love,  should  be  recorded  ;  but  who  can  tell  their  inestimable  value? 
The  mothers  of  the  wise  and  good  !  yes,  were  there  more  such  mothers, 
we  might  confidently  expect  more  such  sons." 


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THE  ATTRACTIONS  OF  HEAVEN.  Edited  by  the  Re», 
H.  A.  GRAVES. 

THE  YOUNG  COMMUNICANT.  An  Aid  to  the  Right  Under 
standing  and  Spiritual  Improvement  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

THE  ACTIVE  CHRISTIAN.    By  JOHN  HARRIS,  D.D. 

THE  BIBLE  AND  THE  CLOSET;  Or,  how  we  may  read  th« 
Scriptures  with  the  most  spiritual  profit.  And  Secret  Prayer 
successfully  managed.  Edited  by  Rev.  J.  0.  Choules. 

THE  MARRIAGE  RING,  or  how  to  make  Home  Happy.  From 
the  writings  of  J.  A.  JAMES. 

LYRIC  GEMS.  A  Collection  of  Original  and  Select  Sacred 
Poetry.  Edited  by  Rev.  S.  F.  SMITH. 

THE  CASKET  OF  JEWELS,  for  Young  Christians.  By  JAMES, 
EDWARDS,  and  HARRIS. 

THE  CYPRESS  WREATH.  A  Book  of  Consolation  for  thows 
who  Mourn.  Edited  by  Rev.  R.  W.  GRISWOLD. 

THE  MOURNER'S  CHAPLET.  An  Offering  of  Sympathy  for 
Bereaved  Friends.  Edited  by  JOHN  KEESE. 

THE  FAMILY  CIRCLE.  Its  Affections  and  Pleasures.  Edited 
by  the  Rev.  H.  A.  GRAVES. 

THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  Or  the  Duty,  Benefits,  and  Mode  of 
conducting  Family  Worship. 

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